Havant and Waterlooville, who play in Vanarama National League South, are wary of Merthyr Town in the FA Cup.
Lee Bradbury, the former Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Portsmouth player who is Havant’s manager, says: “Merthyr are coming to try and cause an upset.
“They are traditionally a big club and have some good players.
“We certainly won’t be taking them lightly.
“The last thing we want is for them to take us back to their place for a replay on the plastic pitch in midweek.
“We will be going all out to win the game at the first time of asking.”
Merthyr, still smarting from their 2-0 Southern League Premier Division defeat at Basingstoke Town, are back in Hampshire looking for a cup upset.
Manager Gavin Williams and his Martyrs have a 350-miles round trip to Havant’s Westleigh Park ground and centre-half Curtis McDonald returns to the squad after injury.
Cameron Pring and Mo Touray, on loan from Bristol City and Newport County respectively, are both available after their parent clubs granted permission for them to play in the FA Cup.
Ryan Prosser is still unavailable because of a back injury.
It is a tough trip for Merthyr in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup. Havant are seventh in the National League South.
Manager Bradbury led his Havant team to the Isthmian League title last season. They have plenty of experience with James Hayter and Matt Tubbs in their forward line.
Hayter scored the first hat-trick in Football League history, netting three times in two minutes 20 seconds for Bournemouth in a 6-0 win against Wrexham.
This season is the 10th anniversary of Havant’s historic run that ended in the fourth round against Liverpool at Anfield. Hawks fans at Anfield in 2008.
“Our club has always prided itself on good cup runs,’ said Bradbury. ‘There is pride in what was achieved 10 years ago and it holds a special place in Hawks’ hearts.
“It would be great to rekindle some of that love the club has for the competition. A good Cup run helps breed extra confidence and can also provide a good financial bonus.”
Havant are boosted by the return of powerful defender Jordan Rose from his month-long loan at Weymouth. Rose spent the time away in a bid to get match-fit and the move appears to have worked. He has scored four goals in seven games for the Dorset side and will give the Hawks an added threat at set-pieces.
Rose’s return is a timely one with fellow defenders Lee Molyneaux and Andy Robinson ruled out by injury.
Loanee midfielder Theo Widdrington is also missing as his parent club, Pompey, don’t want him cup-tied.
Striker Jason Prior is expected to continue up front. He played at St Albans in midweek with a bandaged head to protect the nine stitches he had just above his eye.
Merthyr’s squad, from: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Cameron Pring, Scott Tancock, Jarrad Wright, Curtis McDonald Ben Watkins, Kyle Patten, Ashley Evans, Robbie Patten, Eliot Richards, Jaye Bowen, Kerry Morgan, Corey Jenkins, Ian Traylor, Mo Touray, Stuart Fleetwood.
If the match is level after 90 minutes the replay will be at the LoadLok Community Stadium in Merthyr on Tuesday, September 19 (7.45pm).
Prize money for the winners is £4,500, while the draw for the next round will be made on Monday at around 1pm.
