MARK TRUEMAN is hoping his Bantams youngsters can spring their biggest surprise yet in the FA Youth Cup tonight.

His under-18s host Stoke City in the third round at Valley Parade after wins over Rochdale and Carlisle United.

As category one opposition, the Potters will arrive as strong favourites but City’s lead professional development coach Trueman insists the result is not a foregone conclusion.

Speaking to the Bantams official website, he said: "If you look at our previous fixtures - such as Rochdale and Carlisle United - we have always been the underdogs, but have still gone through.

"Obviously, we have another tough test in Stoke City - who are doing really well in their league and have international players to their disposal.

"However, we are not going into the game defeated. We will go in with a gameplan. Who knows what might happen?"

Victory would set up a trip to either Chelsea or Huddersfield Town in the fourth round.

And Trueman admits the prospect of a trip to Stamford Bridge - scene of the City's greatest cup upset in the senior competition - is an extra incentive.

He said: "Should we win, it could be a game at Chelsea in the next round - which will be special.

"That has been on our minds and we have been using it as motivation for the game against Stoke.

"We could have the opportunity to pit ourselves against a side who have had a lot of recent success in this competition in Chelsea.

"The game will definitely be an incentive for the players to perform and, hopefully, we can go on and advance even further."

Kick-off is 7pm, with admission (adults £3, concessions £1) pay on the gate.