Head coach Neil Harris has warned his Cambridge United players to be prepared to face a Bristol Rovers side that is willing to ‘have a fight’ during tonight’s first-round FA Cup tie.

While the U’s are riding high after an impressive start to life back in League One so far this season, Rovers are 17th in League Two, having won none of their last seven outings in all competitions.

But with a manager like Steve Evans in the opposite dugout, Harris is anticipating nothing but a tough evening.

He said: “Nothing needs to drive you when you go to the Memorial Stadium and Bristol. And wherever he’s managing, when you’re up against Steve Evans, your team needs to be up for it.

“Whether they’ve won, lost or drawn recently, his teams will always have a fight.

“We have to make sure we’re competitive in the game, and we have to make sure we’ve got the right mentality – that’s been the message to the players. We know it’s going to be an extremely competitive game.”

In terms of team selection, Harris will be without striker Gassan Ahadme and captain Dom Ball, both of whom are injured.

He selected a predominantly youthful starting line-up for Tuesday night’s 6-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, and some of those players may get another run out.

“We’ve got to pick the right balance of young players and players that have played plenty of minutes this year,” he added.

“We’re also looking at exposing players from the other night to back-to-back minutes, so we have to get the balance right.

“I have to make sure I pick a balanced side, and a team that’s got the ability to stand up to the physical presence of Bristol Rovers away, but also that has the ability to play as well.

“When you’re a kid growing up, you want to play games under the lights, and you want to play in the FA Cup, so it’s a great opportunity for my players.”

Cambridge last bowed out of the FA Cup in the first round during the 2020/21 season when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Shrewsbury Town.