LENNIE Lawrence remains 'quietly confident' his Cardiff City players can spring an FA Cup upset at Ewood Park tonight.

The Bluebirds travel to Blackburn Rovers to resume their FA Cup third-round duel after the original tie ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Ninian Park 12 days ago.

And Lawrence reckons his improving Championship side have a decent chance of reaching the fourth round, where a home tie against Colchester United awaits tonight's winners.

"We go to Blackburn quietly confident. Our away record in recent weeks has been very respectable," said Lawrence, whose side are unbeaten in six games.

"Blackburn have been doing quite well lately but their home form isn't as good as their away form, and maybe that's where we have a chance.

"They will be favourites and there's no pressure on us going into this replay. I think it's going to be close. Our chances of winning at Blackburn are no less than if we were playing at home.

"We need to be at our best collectively, otherwise we are going to lose."

Lawrence will field his strongest possible side against Rovers, even though he has stressed Saturday's league game with Burnley is more important in the context of the Bluebirds' season.

He will be without striker Cameron Jerome, who was forced off during the 1-1 draw at Leeds last weekend with a back injury.

That means Alan Lee - who netted City's leveller in the first tie - will partner ex-Rover Peter Thorne in attack, and the former Burnley forward is relishing a return to East Lancashire.

"We are under no pressure and it would be great to have a win particularly with a home draw in the next round so it is a game we can go and enjoy," said Lee.

Cardiff City visit Ewood Park for the first time since September 1984 when Kevin Summerfield scored in a 2-1 reverse in an old Division Two fixture.