Joe Edwards has urged his Colchester United team-mates to savour the experience of playing against Premier League stars.

But the U’s midfielder says they have to believe they are capable of pulling off an FA Cup shock and beating Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Edwards has recent experience of playing against top-flight opposition, having been in the Yeovil Town side that took on Manchester United last season.

The 25-year-old says it is vital Colchester’s players head into this weekend’s sold-out fourth-round tie feeling they have a chance of winning.

Edwards said: “These are the kind of games you want to be playing in.

“You want to go out and enjoy it but at the same time, you also have to give it everything you can and who knows what might happen.

“There are times during the game when you might catch yourself marking someone you recognise but you have to keep your focus.

“Afterwards, you can look back and enjoy the experience but at the time, you’re going out there to try and win.

“The big thing I took from last year was that you have to give it your best shot.

“You don’t want to look back and wish you did this or that.

“You have to go into the game believing that you can do it and we have a squad that on our day, can give them a good game.

“They may come into the game thinking that it’s going to be easy but it’s a one-off occasion and anything can happen.

“Hopefully, a good performance against Spurs will help us take that confidence into our league campaign.”

Edwards skippered Yeovil against Manchester United in a third-round tie last season, with the Red Devils running out 2-0 winners at Huish Park.

The U’s midfielder says he relished leading his side out alongside United captain Wayne Rooney and doing battle with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Juan Mata.

“I enjoyed it - it was a massive day for us and it helped that I was a Man United fan,” added Edwards, who was recalled to the U’s starting line-up in a right-midfield role for their 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United last weekend.

“It put us in the spotlight and it’s something as a footballer you should enjoy.

“They put out a very strong team and it was a great experience.

“You’re playing against some of the best players in the country and it’ll be the same for us on Saturday.”