The paths of Dario Gradi and Roy Keane have not crossed yet in football, so the experienced Alex manager is looking forward to meeting the Ipswich manager before tonight's Carlin Cup tie.

The League Cup is actually one trophy Keane never had the chance to lift during his glittering playing career with Nottingham Forest and Manchester United and now as a manager he will hoping he can take his Ipswich Town side into the later rounds.

Crewe will be hoping to claim another Championship scalp after gloriously knocking out a strong Derby County side in round one. The Railwaymen will be regarded as underdogs here at Gresty Road but if we can defend as well as did against the Rams there is no reason why we cannot be heading into the draw for round three.

Dario told the club's official web-site: "It will be interesting to talk to Roy before the game because I don't think our paths have ever crossed before. I don't think I've ever spoken to him and it will be good to meet him. I hope that can be the case and we will welcome him in for a drink afterwards if he wants too.

"He has his style of management and I have mine. I can only go on what I've read and heard but he was a top player and a top professional. I suppose we do have contrasting styles but Ipswich have always tried to play football the right way and I am looking forward to a good football match.

"Roy has always been a great motivator and a strongly opinionated guy, so we know his team will be up for it.

"It isn't about the managers, it is all about how the players perform and it should be a good night of football. I will enjoy it if we play well and give them a real tough game and I will enjoy it more if we can win.

Dario added: "I am not going to talk about getting through or who we might get because we have a very tough cup-tie to get through first. If I can be discussing the third round draw afterwards then I would be delighted but we all it will be just as difficult as the Derby game when we defended as though our lives depended on it."