Manager Stephen Robinson knows Lincoln City will be a tough test for his players but is fully focused on reaching round three of the FA Cup.
Athletic were drawn against the National League leaders after beating Doncaster Rovers in the first round of the competition and the manager knows the importance of reaching round three.
“It can potentially be the turning point in our season and financially for us anything could happen with the third round draw.
“Our importance is to get there and be in the hat for the next round and have the opportunity of potentially playing against a big side.
“We have to win our second round game or else the draw before the game is irrelevant.
“First and foremost we have to concentrate on Lincoln who are flying high in the Conference so we have to beat them first of all and then we’ll turn our attentions to the third round.”
Lincoln City are flying at the top of the table in their division but Robinson knows if his side play to their full potential, they will get the result.
“Lincoln are top of the Conference, riding high and getting in decent crowds so they are certainly on the up,” he said.
“I know quite a bit about them, I’ve had them watched numerous times and seen them myself so they are a big threat.
“They go back to front, put long throws into the box so we have to deal with it and then hopefully our quality will come through.
“The first 15-20 minutes of the game will be hectic, a lot of tackles flying in and we have to be prepared for that and match that.
“It will be a second ball game for the first 15 minutes and then we have to get the ball down and play."
In terms of injury news ahead of the game, the gaffer gave this update: “Paul Green has done a little bit of training, he will join in fully today and Sunday so we hope that he will be fine for the game,” he commented.
“At this moment in time, we only have Marc Klok injured, he picked up a slight calf injury in training yesterday so he will be doubtful but bar that we have a fully fit squad."
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.