City have been challenged to prove they are better than League Two at Watford tonight.

Gianfranco Zola’s Championship side will be firm favourites to progress into the last 32 of the Capital One Cup.

But opposite number Phil Parkinson believes the Vicarage Road clash offers the perfect stage for his ambitious players to demonstrate they can cut it against better opponents.

After back-to-back home wins, City head south in confident mood as they look to bridge a two-division gulf.

Parkinson said: “A lot of our players have got their eye on wanting to play at a higher level one day and I don’t blame them. Hopefully that will be with Bradford.

“There’s a chance tonight to show you are capable of doing it. These are the sort of games when you’ve got to show you can live in the company of these players.

“We’ve got to be confident and take the game to them – it’s a cup tie and we’ll play it like one.

“Watford are a good side and they played very well against Birmingham. It’s a great test for us.

“There was an air of disappointment when the draw was made but as the game approaches, we’re really relishing it again.”

Changes are expected, with Parkinson utilising the players who have been on the bench. Alan Connell, Garry Thompson, Stephen Darby and Jon McLaughlin could all be involved.

Parkinson added: “We will put pressure on ourselves to produce a performance. We have to be very organised and disciplined and compact as a team.

“We’ve got players who can cause problems. To do that, you need a strong base to play from.

“There are a few niggles but fresh legs at this stage can be very important.

“There will be one or two changes but I’m looking forward to seeing people play who haven’t been involved in the past couple of games.

“We’ve got a few players I feel have been unlucky. Stephen Darby was one of our best players in pre- season but we just changed it round and he hasn’t got in the team the last two games.

“Alan Connell, who was top scorer for Swindon last season, has done absolutely nothing wrong and there’s others like Garry Thompson. It must be tough for them. Equally, you’re best off being out of a team that’s winning than being beaten.”

Parkinson was amazed to hear that City’s 5-1 thrashing of Wimbledon put them in positive goal difference for the first time in nearly three years. But he felt it was a just reward for the effort his side have been producing.

“It was emphatic and you’ve got to enjoy those days because they don’t come along often. There were so many good parts.

“The lads are bubbling but we’ve got to keep reminding them to reproduce the work they are putting in.

“We’ve got a real strength of character in the team and that can take you a long way. It’s good for Steve (Parkin) and I that we’ve got players who can manage it for us while the game’s going on.

“There are experienced characters out there to pull people the right way.

“We’re certainly keeping our feet on the ground because it’s only the start of a marathon but the start has been good.”