Championship strugglers North End go into the fifth round tie as underdogs, despite having home advantage.

And assistant manager Rob Kelly believes the Premiership side are the ones under the microscope in Sky TV's big weekend game.

"There is no pressure on us," declared Kelly. "It is all on Portsmouth.

"They are the Premier League team and everyone is expecting them to go through.

"We are not expected to win it. So we are free to go out and play."

Preston go into the game believing they can spring a major upset despite their current league form.

Having already knocked one Premier League side out of the competition in emphatic style, Kelly says the players can put their fight against relegation to one side for the weekend.

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"We were terrific in the last round," said Kelly.

"We beat a Premier League side on their own ground.

"We want to win again on Sunday because we want to try and make winning a habit.

"At the moment it is a case of us winning one, losing one. But after our last two FA Cup games we have taken the confidence from the result into the league and won difficult matches on the strength of it.

"If we could win this one on Sunday then we would take that into next Saturday's trip to Watford.

"That would be a massive boost.

"Everyone at the club is looking forward to this cup tie. It is a great game to be involved in.

"Portsmouth are a really good side with the power and pace that Premier League teams have got.

"But it's 90 minutes, it's the FA Cup – and we all know what can happen in this competition.

"To be in the fifth round means we must have done something right."

Preston's only priority is to survive the drop from the Championship.

But both Kelly and manager Alan Irvine insist Sunday's cup game is not a distraction from the real job in hand.

While they are busy boosting the club's coffers to the tune of more than £300,000, their rivals at the foot of the table could be stealing a march on them.

Bottom club Scunthorpe play tonight at third-placed Stoke.

If they were to spring a surprise at the Britannia Stadium then they would jump up to third-bottom and push North End back into the drop zone.

Second-bottom Colchester are in action at Hull tomorrow and a win for them at the KC Stadium would see Preston fall even further.

And on Tuesday, when Scunthorpe are at Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday play hosts to Coventry, North End could be bottom by the time they visit table-toppers Watford next weekend.

Irvine and his deputy Kelly will try hard to focus the players' attention away from the league table at least until after Sunday's game (kick-off 4pm).

"We want to win football matches in both the cup and the league," said Kelly.

"We know how important the league is and there is absolutely no chance of us forgetting that.

"But this cup game is a really good chance for our players to individually, and collectively, pit themselves against a Premier League side.

"And that's what we all want to do in this business. Portsmouth are a good side, with a good manager.

"But this is a great opportunity for us.

"We know the FA Cup always throws up surprises. That's why there are only six Premier League sides left in it at the fifth round stage this year.

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"Maybe Sunday there will be another.

"And, who knows, maybe it could be us," he added.

Winger Lewis Neal could be back in contention for a recall to the squad after recovering from the tight hamstring which kept him out of the win over Coventry and the defeat at Colchester.

"We are having a look at him today," explained Kelly. "He is improving.
"We are hoping he might have a chance for the game."

Full-back Matt Hill will also come back into the reckoning after missing the trip down to Essex in midweek because of family reasons.

With the in-form Sean St Ledger having to sit out the cup tie through
suspension for his sending off at Layer Road, Youl Mawene will partner Liam Chilvers in the centre of defence.

"It is a shame for Sean, it will be disappointing for him," said Kelly.
"But it is good to have Youl back fit after his shoulder injury.

"So at least we have got cover for Ledge's suspension.

"And anyway, that's what competition for places is all about.

"It is healthy to have players waiting in the wings to come in and take their chance.

"Sean has been playing really well and he was perhaps unfortunate with what happened at Colchester.

"We have watched the DVD and, yes, the offence was outside the box and should not have been a penalty.

"We have had a little run of things which have gone against us over the last few weeks.

"But I believe these things even themselves out in time. I sincerely hope so."