Leeds United striker Rob Hulse has no sympathy for Wigan's over-worked glory-chasers.

Latics manager Paul Jewell is furious that his side must face Leeds in tonight's FA Cup third round replay just two days after their Premiership defeat against West Brom and with their two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal at the halfway stage.

But Hulse says: "The schedule for Premiership teams isn't as busy as our Championship programme. I understand where Wigan are coming from because they don't get treated as well as the Arsenals and Manchester United's, but in the Championship you don't get any favours either and we have a smaller squad. So in some respects it is harder for us."

Hulse added: "They are the Premiership side so all the pressure is on them. We are just going to enjoy ourselves and hopefully give a good account of ourselves, like we did at the JJB.

"We worked hard, more than matched them and could have gone on to win it. There's a good carrot, too, with Manchester City awaiting the winners."

Hulse admits he was disappointed not to start the game at Brighton on Saturday, after scoring in the last two games, but he is hoping for a place in the starting line-up against Wigan before serving a one-match ban against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

"We know we are better than we showed at Brighton and are looking forward to putting things right against Wigan," he added.

Manager Kevin Blackwell defended United's refusal to move the replay to tomorrow night.

He said: "The police wanted the game played tonight and the £150,000 TV money from Sky is very important to us because we don't have a benefactor. Premier League clubs have the depth of squad to carry them through at times like this. I didn't see many people helping Leeds United when we were on our uppers.

"I have a lot of respect for Paul Jewell and Wigan. I would love to be where Wigan are right now, playing on Sunday and Tuesday because they are involved in so many competitions. That is what you strive for.

"Remember, Wigan's last three games have been at home, while we've been to Plymouth, Wigan and Brighton."

Blackwell intends to make changes, "because some of our squad members need a game".

But he added: "We are going all-out to win. We are strong enough to handle a decent little cup run."

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, January 17, 2006