Stokes: We've got to be at the top of our game for weekend cup clash | OneFootball

They take on Nottingham Forest Women on Burnley Women in the fourth round on Sunday, having reached the same stage last term when they were beaten by eventual winners Manchester United Women at Leigh Sports Village.

The Lasses came through a tricky third round tie against North East rivals Middlesbrough Women last time out, but Stokes, who joined United from Manchester City Women in the summer, knows they must step up from their previous outing at Kingston Park this weekend.

Forest and Burnley - both vying for promotion from the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division - meet on Wednesday night in a rearranged third round tie to determine who travels to Tyneside on Sunday. Kick-off is at 1pm and tickets are on sale here.

"FA Cup ties are always exciting," Stokes admitted. "As footballers, everyone's ambition is to get to Wembley and play at such an iconic stadium.

"Our goal remains the same heading into this match. I think it was evident in the last round against Middlesbrough that we've got to be at the top of our game.

"I think we made life a little bit more difficult at times, so we know we've got to play better and look to put in a good performance at home."

The FA Cup is famous for its giant killings, but after coming out on top against Boro, United must repeat the feat of beating a side below them in the pyramid.

And Stokes added: "Playing a side from a lower division is one of the reasons why people love football, because they know anything can happen on the day.

"We always respect the opposition, but we also have to respect ourselves and our ability as a team.

"It's important that we make a quick start to the match. We've had the winter break, so there are no excuses now for us not putting in a good display."

Come Sunday, it will have been five weeks since the Lasses graced the Kingston Park turf for that tie against Middlesbrough, and a big crowd that day certainly didn't go unnoticed by Stokes and her team-mates.

"Our fans are brilliant," the former England defender said. "They're die-hard football and Newcastle United fans, and we can hear them at every game, home and away.

"A cup run is what the fans deserve; it's what the club as a whole deserves.

"I'm excited to get back to Kingston Park; obviously, we had Christmas break, and our fans haven't been able to see us play if they didn't get to the Manchester United game, so we know our fans will be excited and raring to go."

Sunday's game at Kingston Park kicks off at 1pm and tickets are on sale here.