Steve Ball says it is about progression for Colchester United’s youngsters when they host Ipswich Town in the FA Youth Cup tonight.

The U’s host Town in the third round of the competition at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, kick-off 7pm.

The winners face a trip to play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the fourth round.

And U’s joint under-18 coach Ball admits it is all about winning tonight.

Ball said: “We knew who we’d be playing if we beat Cheltenham in the last round and the carrot was there for us.

“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to immensely and the pressure is off us in some ways, because Ipswich are a big club who are pushing for Category One status in the EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan).

“It’s a game that we’ll be prepared for and I think it will help massively that we’ve been playing in the Professional Development League in Category Two, this season.

“Everyone was delighted that the youth team won the double last season and the lads are benefiting even more this year.

“The likes of Sammie Szmodics, Macauley Bonne and Frankie Kent have all benefited and that’s the whole point of it.

“We’d have liked the results in the league programme to have been better but it’s not all about that at this level - it’s about progression.

“Saying that, the result is all tht matters when we play Ipswich, because that’s what the FA Youth Cup is all about - it’s about getting through.”