Kevin Keen believes his Colchester United players can defy the odds and slay Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.

The U’s will start as rank outsiders in today's televised fourth-round showdown at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

However, the Colchester boss insists his team will relish the occasion - and not feel any nerves.

“There’s no trepidation. Just excitement,” said the 48-year-old, a former FA Cup semi-finalist with West Ham.

“We haven’t got anything to worry about.

“Everyone in the country thinks we’re going to get beaten, so we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“We’re going to enjoy it, but we also want to win the game.

“I know it’s going to be really difficult, but we’re not going to sit back and defend.

“Obviously you have to prepare to defend for certain amounts of the game, but, at the same time, we want to attack at the right times and cause them problems.

“People can say what they want, but the belief is within myself and within (assistant manager) David Wright and the players. Who says we can’t win?

“It’s going to be a tough task, of course, but the boys are switched on and ready to give a performance that hopefully credits our club.

“We have to work very hard, play as a team and do our best as individuals.

“I think I’ve got some talented boys in the squad that can cause them problems.

“We’ll stick together, have a go and as long as everyone gives their all, that’s all I can ask.”

Spurs are likely to shuffle their pack and leave out some of their Premier League superstars.

However, Keen knows that whatever side they field, his troops will have their work cut out.

“Whichever team they play, they’re very talented and, tactically, the way they play is there for everyone to see,” he said.

“They’re a young, exciting team, with great technical ability.

“We’ll prepare for that as best we can and the boys will have a real go.”

Keen says is facing an agonising task in terms of his team selection.

And he has spoken of the significance of having senior players in the camp, heading into such a big game.

“Players like Darren Ambrose and Owen Garvan are really important,” he said.

“I’d put Nicky Shorey in there as well.

“He has an England cap and has played at the top level, so there are three or four who have played at the highest levels and are aware of the pressures that go with that.

“They are really important, but we also have quite a few who started at big clubs, like Alex Wynter at Crystal Palace, Kane Vincent-Young at Tottenham and Gavin Massey at Watford.

“They’ve been in and around those areas so know those types of players.

“They may not have been at the top level but they’ve been in and around youth and reserve teams with them.”