FA Youth Cup - lads ready for Cottagers clash

We return to action in the FA Youth Cup this evening – with domestic table-toppers Fulham our opponents.

We host the Cottagers in the fourth round of the competition at Dagenham & Redbridge, kick-off 7pm, with Academy Manager John McDermott expecting a stern examination.

“On paper it should be a very good game,” he said. “I think Fulham have probably been one of the toughest opponents that we’ve played.

“I say it every time – on all of these occasions you hope that all the players and the subs step up to the plate and don’t get overawed by the occasion and show what they can do.

“There’ll undoubtedly be some talent and hopefully players of the future on display tonight.”

This evening’s game – with a place in the fifth round at stake – takes place less than 48 hours before a home Barclays Under-18 Premier League game against Norwich City.

But John still expects to be able to field a strong side for both matches: “We’ve prepared for tonight as normal although it’s a little bit different because there’s three games in a week so we’ve got to take into account Saturday’s fixture as well, because we want to do well in the league.

“We’ve got a very good squad of players and you can see from when we’ve been away on recent tours, all the players always start. That’s because we think they’re good and we can trust them, so whatever side we put out tonight and on Saturday I think will be strong enough to do well.”