Barnsley boss Danny Wilson insists he does not underestimate the threat Chester pose to his side having seen them first hand.

Ex-Northern Ireland international Wilson scouted Steve Burr's team a few weeks back and admitted the quality of football had surprised him.

A Championship club last season, the Tykes are a short price to progress to the third round but have not won in three and have been unconvincing at Oakwell, the venue for Sunday's second round clash (2pm).

Chester, who beat League Two side Southend United in round one, will have the backing of a near 2,000-strong travelling support in South Yorkshire and enjoy the underdog role.

Wilson said: "I saw Chester play a few weeks ago and they were excellent. When I saw the type of football they played, they surprised me.

"I was really impressed with them. They want to get on the ball and play and express themselves. They're not one of these typical bish-bash teams that everybody expects them to be because they're out of the league.

"Steve Burr's got them playing very well. We've done a lot of research on them. The players have got loads of information about what they're going to be up against. We're not going to take them lightly at all. But if our attitude and application is there from our point of view, we've got a good chance. of getting through to the next round.

"Some of these lads can play football. We underestimate these lads and teams that don't play at the top level and people can be taken by surprise. It's why I have to make sure we're well-educated and know what's up against us."

Sam Winnall misses out for the Tykes with Leroy Lita expected to deputise but captain Martin Cranie will return at right back.

Wilson paid £200,000 to bring Conor Hourihane from Plymouth Argyle and he has been the stand-out with 10 goals from midfield.

Ross Turnbull, Peter Ramage, Lewin Nyatanga and Lita lend Premier League experience and England Under 19 international Devante Cole, son of Andy, is on loan from Manchester City.

Chester are without Matty Hughes, recalled to Fleetwood Town after the win over AFC Telford United midweek, and Rhys Oates, who cannot play as he is on loan from the Tykes

Craig Hobson will replace Oates up front and Ibou Touray or Jamie Menagh are the most obvious candidates to come in for Hughes on the left wing.

Josh O'Keefe and Peter Winn remain injured but manager Steve Burr is hoping Ben Heneghan will shake off a knock to be involved in the squad.

Tom Peers is cup-tied so teenager Ben Greenop should again find himself on the bench, as he was against Southend in the first round.

Hobson has started the last four games on the bench but Burr feels the rest has benefited the forward, who scored twice off the bench in the loss at Nuneaton last weekend.

Craig Hobson holds off Southend centre back Jakub Sokolik in the previous round
Craig Hobson holds off Southend centre back Jakub Sokolik in the previous round

Burr said: "I spoke to Craig because he'd done well coming off the bench against Nuneaton. I said to him 'look you're going to be on the bench again for the Telford game because of the fact we're not going to have Rhys and you will be playing against Barnsley'.

"So we were in a good position on Tuesday night where we could afford not to use him and risk him getting inured but he's done well and I think the little break out of the team has helped him and you could see that on Saturday when he looked sharp and got two great goals.

"All the lads want to play so it's just making a decision now on who we feel will be the best to go with for the game against Barnsley and obviously filling Matty Hughes' position.

"Any of the lads that have been out, they've only got to look at Matty and see how he's been performing and that's the type of thing we need, and it's a great opportunity for a lad who's been out of the side to come in to such a big game.

Burr watched Barnsley beat Colchester United last month and expects a tough afternoon but retains hope his side can create another FA Cup upset.

Burr said: "We know how difficult the task is but it's just great to still be in the cup at this stage of the season.

"Sam Winnall has got injured and he's been getting in amongst the goals, Devante Cole has got a lot of pace up front, they've got experience at the back with Ramage and we know it's going to be difficult.

"We've got to hope that they have an off day and we can raise our level of performance and with that little bit of luck that you need in the cup we could find ourselves in the next round."