WATFORD boss Ray Lewington is ready to gamble on the fitness of talented young striker Tommy Smith by starting him just over two weeks after he was involved in a car crash.

The 22-year-old former England Under-21 striker was the star of their victory at Sunderland in the previous round but he has missed the last four matches, none of which the Hornets have won.

Smith has been around the club ever since the accident but only returned to full training yesterday.

He is expected to be passed fit to play and will partner Icelandic international striker Heidar Helguson, who is known to prefer having him as his fellow striker.

Helguson was one of several players rested against Preston North End on Tuesday night but Neil Cox, Marcus Gayle, Alec Chamberlain and Micah Hyde will all return with former Spurs midfielder Alan Nielsen also a possibility.

It is in midfield that Lewington has the biggest decisions to make. He will play a 4-4-2 formation but has plenty of options, especially in terms of the wide men.

Gavin Mahon may play down the right with either Nielsen or Stephen Glass down the left. In the middle Paulo Vernazza is expected to play alongside the very experienced Micah Hyde.

It is not just Burnley that has gone Cup mad, Watford is the same. The finalists from 19 years ago they have not reached this stage since 1988.

The ground is a 20,500 sell-out, the first time in three years since they were last in the top flight.

Like the Clarets, money is tight at Watford and the whole staff agreed to take a 12 per cent pay cut earlier in the season.

That means they are not just playing for pride and glory tomorrow, they will have the added incentive of getting that money back if they win. It is hoped that fact will help them turnaround a run of form that has seen them without a win since they beat Sunderland.

They have also knocked out Premiership West Brom but this first time go into a game as the favourites. It remains to be seen how they cope with that tag.