WATFORD are hoping Tommy Smith will join Heidar Helguson to spearhead the attack against Burnley on Sunday, March 9. As Watford prepare for their biggest match since the Play-off Final, Smith is expected to join in full training with the players today (Friday).

"We think Smithy will make it. He is back in training on his own and will join the rest on Friday. He is feeling good, has had no ill-effects from whiplash or the general shake-up following the car crash. He's got to be worth the gamble," said manager Ray Lewington.

Smith was in form against Sunderland and the televised quarter-final against Burnley will provide another shop window for the talents of the striker, whose contract is up this summer.

Lewington is expected to field his first-choice defence with Neil Cox and Marcus Gayle returning to the heart and Alec Chamberlain having recovered from a knee injury. Allan Nielsen, Micah Hyde and Paolo Vernazza are almost certain to start in midfield. The fourth midfield place will be competed for by Stephen Glass, Jamie Hand and Gavin Mahon.

So all looks set fair but Lewington will not predict the outcome of Sunday's match. "No, I don't predict but we are going to give it everything. We have been given that bit of luck with the home draw, which we wanted. We have got to look to win on Sunday. If they come away with a draw they will become favourites. We are going to pile into this game," he said.

"Going into a quarter-final draw, you hope you are at home. That is the only advantage there is because any form, league position or status goes out the window as the cup has shown with so many First Division sides beating Premier League teams and Shrewsbury beating Everton.

"It is important we turn the home draw to our own advantage, and I don't really care what the opposition think about us and I am not worried about them. If we perform and we don't freeze and don't let the occasion get to us and play the way we can, we have a realistic chance of featuring in the FA Cup Semi-Final."

Lewington stressed the need for the capacity crowd to play its part. "We need to get the crowd behind us, even if we are disappointing, nervy or if Burnley take the initiative at the start. We need the fans to keep going, just like the players. We have shown the ability to turn things round. We have the spirit and the fans will help us make the most of it."

Asked if Burnley would be confused by Watford's approach to the Preston game, Lewington remarked: "They know we have rested a lot of players but I don't really care what Burnley are thinking or doing."

It was this remark which was mis-used by two red-top tabloids who mistakenly claimed Lewington said "I don't care what the fans think" with reference to resting six players.

"Whoever holds their nerve will win the day. The two teams are very evenly matched. If we play the way we can do for 90 minutes we will give ourselves a good chance, but we also know Burnley are a good side.

"But we have shown good resilience. We know we have our faults and technical ability but we make up for that with our work-rate."

Meanwhile, Watford's players had two days off during the week to "get away from the training ground and get refreshed".

"I'm glad the match has finally arrived. It has been the topic of conversation ever since we beat Sunderland. It is a cracking match, for everyone, the club, the players, the supporters," he said on Tuesday night.

"The players are roaring and ready to go. I think some of them would have liked to play tonight but it was not so much the tiredness but the injury-factor. If you do pick up an injury in what is less than a week, there is not enough time to clear up even some minor injuries. So we felt we needed to field a strong side against Forest, but, in my opinion, today was a game in which to rest players and to make sure the ones who have been doing it, week-in and week-out, are ready for Sunday."

Lewington pointed out that his players did not ease up on Saturday, which he felt further justified his changes on Tuesday.

"They are such a genuine bunch. They have gone out and really played against Forest. Our instructions were to just get amongst them and they did, but I am thinking on the side 'don't get injured'. They went out and showed they are a fully-committed bunch of players."

Burnley are also a very hard-working side. "I think they have a good team work ethic, and work very hard," said Lewington.

"I like the look of them up front. Ian Moore is quick and mobile and Gareth Taylor, I had him with me at Crystal Palace. I also worked there with Glen Little, who is on the fringe, but is a very talented boy. Gareth has improved over the years from the days when he got a hard time from the fans.

"I know Stan Ternent. I followed him into Crystal Palace. He is a nice man, a passionate bloke, volatile in the dressing room, and I have known his assistant, Sam Ellis, for a long time.

"My first game as manager of Fulham was against Blackpool and Sam was manager. Of course, I forgot that Sam started his coaching career at Watford and was a player here."

March 7, 2003 13:30