LEISTON manager Chris Wigger wants to add an Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup to his footballing CV.

Wigger led Leiston to the 2021-22 final, where they lost on penalties to Needham Market after a goalless draw at Colchester United FC.

He has also twice been a losing semi-finalist since being appointed as joint manager in March 2020 along with Darren Eadie, who has taken a step back this season and is now heading up a new role as the club's Head of Football Strategy.

Wigger and Leiston have the chance to move within 90 minutes of this season’s final when they face an Ipswich Town XI in the quarter-finals at the Watson & Hillhouse Victory Road Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm

He said: “Any club that considers itself a decent side in Suffolk wants to have a go at winning the Suffolk Premier Cup. It is something that has eluded me so far – we have had a final and a couple of semi-finals, but we have yet to go the whole way and it is something that I would like to achieve.”

Leiston go into the match off the back of a 3-0 home loss to Stourbidge on Saturday which saw them drop to 13th position in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central table.

Wigger said: “To dominate possession and control large parts of the game as we did on Saturday and miss five one-on-ones and a penalty and concede three goals to a team who had fewer chances is very disappointing.

“It is a quick turnaround and an important cup game. Ipswich Town will be an unknown quantity as you never know what level of opposition you are going to be up against, whether they will be under-18s, under-23s or a mixture.

“It will be a tough game against a side who train full-time and are fitter and sharper than us, so we have got to make it a proper game of Non-League football.

“There will be changes which are well deserved following Saturday’s defeat which gives me licence to alter a few.”

Wyatt Hill could start after coming on as a substitute on Saturday after being knocked unconscious at St Ives in mid-November.

“It is good to have him back in the squad and on the pitch,” said Wigger.

However, the match has come too soon for skipper Seb Dunbar, who is still working his way back to full fitness after a long spell on the sidelines, while Eddie Jackson is not far off returning after breaking a bone in his foot at St Ives.

Wigger said: “Seb has played two under-23 games – he has been treated for two injuries at once, so it is a long process and so we don’t want to rush him back so this game is too soon for him.”

Former Ipswich Town youngster Jack Manly is currently on loan at Maldon & Tiptree but Ban Batho is back after a month’s loan at Ipswich Wanderers.

Goalkeeper Billy Johnson received a three-match ban after being sent off following the 2-0 home defeat to AFC Telford United at the end of November.

Although he is eligible to play in the tie, 20-year-old Ellis Craven, who is on loan from Norwich City for one month, will start between the posts.

Leiston (blue & white striped shirts) are pictured in action in their 1-1 draw at home to Hornchurch (red & white striped shirts) in the Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round in September.