Dave Byrne has warned his Town starlets this evening's FA Youth Cup clash will be the biggest moment of their young careers as they bid to enhance their fast-growing reputations.

Scouts from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Reading have been keeping their eyes on the County Ground youngsters this campaign but Byrne believes now is the time to prove their big-match temperament.

Last season's progression to the competitions quarter-finals will also heap the pressure further on Byrne's young stars, but he insists there is no excuse not to produce in tonight's first round tie at Cheltenham.

Town's head of youth development, said: "It will be a very tough game. Cheltenham are in our league and we drew 1-1 with them at their place earlier this season.

"They have to produce tonight because it is definitely the biggest night of many of their young careers. It is all very well having these reputations but they need to show they are warranted.

"A lot of people will be watching this game and these lads need to show they won't freeze on the big occasion. Is is a big chance and I am hopeful they will take it with both hands."

Ben Tozer, Kurt Hammond and Callum Kennedy have already been around the first team this campaign, while the majority of the squad have at least experienced reserve team football.

Last season's under 18 squad took Premiership giants Newcastle United to extra time in the quarter finals, and Byrne hopes that experience will be to their benefit.

He said: "That is the good thing. A lot of lads had some experience last season and that should help them.

"There is a lot of pressure though because I suppose expectations are up now after last year. But if these players have realistic ambitions of progressing in the game they have to cope with it.

"I know the lads are looking forward to it. The tempo in training has been buzzing and you can see the effort has really been raised over the last few days."

Byrne is taking it one game at a time but admits the FA Youth Cup is the only competition at this level, where results really matter.

He said: "This is like the senior FA Cup.

"It is a chance for our players to draw a really big side in the later rounds but they have to get there first.

"I suppose the advantage of playing a big side like Cheltenham is that we know what they are all about and we also know we will be playing on a decent pitch.

"If we had drawn some county team, who knows where we would have played and it could have been very difficult for us to play football."

Andy Westall and Nathan Thompson miss tonight's clash with long-term injuries. Kick off is 7pm at Whaddon Road.