Nigel Clough says his Derby County players are up for the Cup this weekend.

Premier League Stoke City are Derby's opponents in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup at Pride Park Stadium tomorrow afternoon and a home win would see the Rams progress to the Fifth Round for the third time in four seasons.

Clough's troops have won their last five games on home turf and are also unbeaten in six matches, which he believes gives the Rams good reason to be optimistic as kick-off draws ever closer.

He told Rams Player: "This tie is a nice, albeit brief, distraction from the league and it's a great chance for us to test ourselves against Premier League opposition.

"Stoke are a well established side in the Premier League and as well as being consistent in the league, they have been a very good Cup side in the last few seasons and of course got to the Final last year.

"They have a very strong squad containing a lot of talented footballers, so it'll be good to pit our wits against them and see how far we've come this season.

"It will be tough but in the position we're in we are looking forward to the game.

"When you're unbeaten in six games there's no fear or trepidation in your preparations and the lads can't wait for this one."

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Clough has heaped the praise on his opposite number Tony Pulis for turning Stoke into a side that is regularly competing for a place in the top half of the Premier League, as well as the Europa League.

Stoke reached the FA Cup Final last year and were runners-up to Manchester City, who were 1-0 winners at Wembley Stadium in May.

He said: "The job Tony Pulis has done at Stoke is remarkable. To take them up, keep them there and now have them competing in Europe says it all.

"It's not that long ago Stoke were competing in League One, so to see them now facing Valencia in the knock-out stages of the Europa League goes to show just how far they have progressed in the last ten years.

"As I said earlier, this is an FA Cup tie to look forward to and I know the lads are relishing the challenge. We've won our last five home games at Pride Park, so we will walk out just before 3pm in confident mood.

"We know it won't be easy because Stoke have quality throughout their side and they will provide us with a severe test, but we believe we can give them a game.

"Stoke obviously attract a lot of talk about their style of play, but they have some exciting flair players too who can be equally as dangerous - so we're going to have to be at it if we're to see our name in the hat for Round Five.

"Stoke reached the FA Cup Final last year and will be desperate to go all the way again this time around, so I know there's no suggestion of them taking it lightly."

Watch Nigel Clough's full pre-match interview on Rams Player.