HISTORY will warn City’s youngsters against looking beyond tonight’s FA Youth Cup home clash with Barnsley (7.00).

The prize at stake is a mouth-watering trip to Liverpool in the third round. But it was the same two years ago – when City blew it on penalties against non-league Histon at Valley Parade.

Head of academy coaching Steve Thornber said: “We were all thinking about the Liverpool game that time and it never happened.

“It’s the same kind of thing tonight, although we will be underdogs for this game. Barnsley are like Colchester last season with a category two academy, which means they generate £100,000 more than us a year.

“So really we’ve got nothing to lose, which isn’t a bad position to be in. Perhaps we’re not as strong as last year physically but the lads are doing okay.”

Thornber hopes to see the likes of striker Reece Webb-Foster and winger Dylan Mottley-Henry, who have both been involved with the senior squad, putting down a marker.

Thornber added: “They’ve got to use games like this to show why they are on the bench for the first team and in the squad.

“Everyone, including the manager, will be there watching and it’s up to them to produce.”