Huddersfield Town v Cambridge Untied: Roberts aiming to provide Town shot in the arm

The Terriers have, admittedly, enjoyed a couple of glamour ties at Chelsea when, under the stewardship of Peter Jackson and Andy Ritchie, they made some of the biggest names in English football sweat before earning a place in the next round.

Town also claimed the notable scalp of Premier League Birmingham City in 2008 but, overall, the club's record in the world's oldest knockout competition is not overly impressive.

So much so, in fact, that in seven of the last 11 seasons they have fallen at the first hurdle with the nadir coming in November, 2003, with an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley, then sitting mid-table in the Conference, in front of the live cameras.

Eleven days ago, Huddersfield were again being beamed live to the nation via ESPN as they took on Cambridge United in a first round tie that finished goalless.

That stalemate at the Abbey Stadium is why Lee Clark's men will again be in action tonight as the non-League side make the trip north to the Galpharm Stadium.

The winners will face either Macclesfield Town or Southend United, who also meet tonight at Roots Hall, in the second round and the Terriers are strongly fancied to progress against a team sitting 59 places lower in the football pyramid.

Despite that, midfielder Gary Roberts insists no-one will be taking the visitors lightly as Town look to maintain their progress on three fronts.

The 26-year-old, who is hoping to play tonight after missing the first tie with a broken arm, said: "It is the FA Cup and Cambridge have nothing to lose.

"It is down to us to put a show on and beat them but it is never that easy. They will come with a good game plan because they did well and maybe could have sneaked it in the first game.

"But we have to be bigger and stronger. If we play our game like we can at home, we will have too much for them."

The first tie at the Abbey Stadium was a largely dour affair in which both sides threatened only spasmodically.

For Town, Anthony Pilkington was the closest to breaking the deadlock with a fierce drive that goalkeeper Danny Naisbitt did superbly to tip over, while the hosts were twice denied by Ian Bennett in the second half.

Roberts added: "We did not play to our strengths at their place, passing the ball and opening them up. But we have to give them massive respect. Their work-rate was absolutely unbelievable.

"I said before Oldham (who Town lost 1-0 to on Saturday) that teams who are not as good as you ability-wise will work twice as hard to get amongst you.

"This is an FA Cup tie and they will work their hearts out but, hopefully, it will be a different story at our place and we will be the ones on the front foot."

Roberts has come off the bench in each of Town's last two games, managing 13 minutes in the 5-2 Johnstone's Paint Trophy win at Rotherham United and another 25 against the Latics on Saturday.

After six weeks on the sidelines, it represents a welcome return to action for the wide midfielder, who is now hoping to be involved again tonight.

He said: "I like to think I am ready. I have had two outings now and have had no pain. So I will be ready for the challenge."

Pilkington is unlikely to feature tonight following a recurrence of the hamstring injury that had led to the in-form wideman missing the victory over Rotherham at Don Valley Stadium.

Back from suspension Alan Lee is, though, pushing for a recall to the starting line-up after coming off the bench at half-time in the defeat at Boundary Park and could line-up alongside loanee Benik Afobe, who has caused something of a stir since moving north from Arsenal last month.

Clark is understood to be keen on holding on to the 17-year-old beyond the end of his initial month-long loan deal, though any hope of extending the agreement further into the New Year could be scuppered by the striker being wanted by Arsenal once the FA Youth Cup gets underway.

Whatever line-up manager Clark selects tonight, captain Peter Clarke believes the Cup tie against Cambridge offers a golden opportunity for Town to make up for Saturday's hugely disappointing display at Oldham.

He said: "It is always good to have another game straight after a defeat because you are itching to get back out there.

"I think any game you play you want to win because it breeds confidence. The league is our priority but we want to win on Tuesday.

"Whether it be through ugly or free-flowing football, we have got to win the game. If we can we would like to play nice attractive football and get wide and get crosses in. But we will do our utmost to win the game in whatever manner is needed."

Last six games: Huddersfield Town LWWDWL; Cambridge United WWWDDD.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancs).

Last time: Huddersfield Town 2 Cambridge United 2; August 9, 2003; Division Three.