SAINTS have been handed a tricky trip to Rotherham for the third round of the FA Cup next month.

But skipper Jason Dodd admitted it could have been worse.

"It's not the greatest of draws, but at least we have missed the big boys," said Dodd. "I've never been to Millmoor before, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

"Even though Rotherham are struggling at the foot of the First Division, we know they will be a difficult side to beat.

"It would have been nice to have got a draw at home but we feel we are playing half decent football right now and obviously the team is full of confidence.

"We have got some big games coming up now over the Christmas period, and it should give the guys in the squad a chance."

Southampton's tie is likely to be played on Saturday, January 5, in a third round which sees Portsmouth at home to Leyton Orient.

Manchester United's faltering form will be put to a severe test when they travel to Aston Villa.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who needed a late equaliser to salvage a point at Villa Park in August, have been handed an all-Premiership clash.

Giantkillers Canvey Island, who knocked Northampton out in round two, have earned themselves a trip to First Division leaders Burnley.

And the only other non-league side still in the tournament, Dagenham & Redbridge, will play host to Ipswich if they can defeat Exeter in their second-round replay.

FA CUP third round draw: Stockport v Bolton, Wimbledon v Middlesbrough, Watford v Arsenal, Man City v Swindon, Halifax or Stoke v Everton, Wycombe v Fulham, Charlton v Blackpool, Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest, Leicester v Mansfield, Chesterfield or Southend v Tranmere, Derby v Plymouth or Bristol Rovers, Brighton v Preston, Grimsby v York, Rotherham v Southampton, Burnley v Canvey Island, Millwall v Scunthorpe, Cheltenham v Oldham, Darlington v Peterborough, Walsall v Bradford, Norwich v Chelsea, Macclesfield v West Ham, Exeter or Dagenham & Redbridge v Ipswich, Portsmouth v Leyton Orient, Liverpool v Birmingham, Coventry v Tottenham, Cardiff v Leeds, Barnsley v Blackburn, Sunderland v West Brom, Newcastle v Crystal Palace, Aston Villa v Man Utd, Crewe v Sheff Wed, Wolverhampton v Gillingham.

Ties to be played weekend of January 5, 6 and 7.