By Jon Murray OXFORD United, who caused the biggest shock of this season's Worthington Cup by winning at Everton, believe they can do the same in the FA Cup at first division Nottingham Forest in tonight's third-round tie at the City Ground.

"We fancy this big-time," admitted skipper Les Robinson before the team departed for the East Midlands today.

United are unbeaten in ten games while Forest, relegated from the Premiership in May, have been slipping down the table and have lost six of their last seven games.

United's main injury worry surrounds Canadian international Mark Watson.

"It's going to be touch and go," said boss Mickey Lewis. "We'll leave it as late as possible."

But Watson himself was optimistic over his back strain.

"I'll be having one more day of treatment and hopefully I'll be OK," he said last night. "Clinks (physio John Clinkard) is being cautious, but I don't want to miss this one." Lewis is expected to recall those players he rested in the midweek Auto Windscreens Shield win over Luton - wingbacks Rob Folland and Neil McGowan, and striker Derek Lilley as well as Watson.

And with Steve Davis not yet fit to take his place, there will be an FA Cup debut for 18-year-old Ross Weatherstone in the three-man centre of defence, alongside Watson and the improving Phil Whelan.

But Forest have had to make changes after Derby County last night recalled Danish striker Mikkel Beck from his two-month loan because of injuries at Pride Park. Dougie Freedman, dropped against Ipswich last week, will return to the side.

Watson said: "We're very positive about this game. We're playing with more confidence now and we're tough to beat - and you couldn't say that six weeks ago. Also, the team as a unit is really starting to play well.

"The most important thing is to defend well and try to keep a clean sheet. If we can do that, the very least we've got is a replay, but we fancy our chances." Watson added: "If we approach this game in the right manner, as we did at Everton, we can get the result we want."

Said Lewis: "Just the fact that we have won at Everton this season will help. The players know they can beat Everton and they know they can beat Forest."

"In the past we've been a bit cavalier, even at Luton in the league when we got it back from 3-0 to 3-2 we were still too cavalier and that let them in to get a fourth.

"If we can keep it 0-0 to half-time, then as the game opens out we'll push forward more."

Forest's under-pressure boss David Platt has picked out Joey Beauchamp, who almost joined them, as a key player. But he insists his team will try to impose their game on Oxford.

United have sold more than 800 tickets and expect a following of around 1,400 cheering them on.

UNITED have reached a settlement with Taylor Woodrow, who were the original builders of the new stadium at Minchery Farm, but downed tools in January 1997 over a payment issue.

United will now choose between Alfred MacAlpine, Mowlem and Barr to finish the stadium, with work set to restart early in the new year.

YOUNG United defender Ross Weatherstone has signed a new two-year contract.

Weatherstone, who made his home debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Stoke, agreed the deal after talks with technical director Ray Harford.

Negotiations with Jamie Lambert are continuing.

Story date: Saturday 11 December

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