IAN Woan believes John McGovern's Ilkeston side will provide a tough test for Town today (Saturday, November 18), but he is confident of success.

The midfielder knows all about McGovern's achievements with Nottingham Forest, although Woan arrived at the City Ground a decade after the club's second European Cup triumph in 1980.

However, McGovern is not bringing European champions to the County Ground tomorrow and Woan is quietly confident Town's name will be in the hat for the second round draw.

"We were confident before the game against Peterborough and hopefully it won't have knocked the lads too much," he said.

The player said his colleagues just needed to show a little more self belief.

The visit of Ilkeston should allow the players the opportunity to show what they can do, but Woan himself believes the travelling fans may target him for some good-natured banter, due to his Nottingham connections.

"I'm sure I'll be in a for a little bit of stick, but I'm not too bothered. I think we've enough quality in the side to go and beat them," he said.

The FA Cup first round is rather unfamiliar territory for Woan.

As part of Brian Clough's side of the early nineties, Woan walked out as a member of the Forest team which faced Terry Venables' Tottenham Hotspur in the 1991 final.

Sadly, it was to be a losing appearance, as Forest crashed 2-1. Stuart Pearce fired Forest in front but an own goal from Des Walker eventually handed the cup to Spurs.

Another Town player with Forest connections is Bobby Howe. The Geordie midfielder will be hoping he too can spark Town's bid for cup glory as they prepare to face Ilkeston Town at the County Ground tomorrow.