Dean Wilkins' biggest worry is that his Albion kids will freeze on the big occasion in tonight's FA Youth Cup fourth round showdown against Chelsea at Withdean.

That is unlikely to happen to Sonny Cobbs, even though he is the baby of the side.

The free-scoring leftback has more experience of playing at Withdean than the rest of his team-mates.

Cobbs, 17, the only first-year scholar in the side, revealed: "Even though I'm a first year at least I've played at Withdean a few times, so I know the pitch.

"I went to Dorothy Stringer school and I played at Withdean a couple of times for them in national cup semi-finals.

"I scored twice in one of them and we won 2-1, which put us into the final, so I'm used to scoring at Withdean. Hopefully I can do it again."

Cobbs, signed by Albion just after his 15th birthday, was responsible for securing tonight's glamour tie.

"I scored the winner in the last round against Port Vale. It was 1-1 and there were about eight minutes to go in the second half of extra-time, so it was looking like we were going to penalties.

"I popped up on the edge of the box, a header came to me and I controlled it and volleyed it into the top corner from 20 yards.

"That was something special. We knew we would be playing Chelsea next, which made it even more special."

Chelsea's spending power filters down to youth level but Cobbs is brimming with confidence.

Albion's under-18s are top and unbeaten in the Football League Youth Alliance. They hammered Brentford 9-0 in their last outing two Saturdays ago with the prolific Joe Gatting, who made his first team debut as a late substitute at Southampton earlier this month, among the goals again.

They have also already beaten Chelsea's youngsters this season when they took part in filming for Sky TV's Football Icon, a Pop Idol-type programme based around the runaway Premiership leaders.

"We are approaching it as a normal game and we've got a good chance," Cobbs said. "They've signed a few kids for a bit of money, one of them for £250,000 from Bristol Rovers, but we played them earlier on in the season and won.

"We went up to their place and played twice. Some of the Icon boys were playing in the first game but the second time most of their youth team players were actually playing and we beat them 2-1. It was a hard game but we are a good team.

"The chances of us winning are much higher than they would be for the first team against Chelsea.

"We are not far off them. Some people even say we are better than Chelsea, so it should be 50-50 and, hopefully, we will get the right result.

"Everyone is buzzing and pumping, ready for the game. We just want to get out there and play now and if we win that will be a great scalp."

Chelsea's defence includes England under-17 international centre half Jack Cork. He will be watched by dad Alan, the former Albion assistant now No. 2 to Micky Adams again at Coventry.

Albion's back four contains Tommy Elphick, a second-half substitute for the first team at Reading last month but not Joel Lynch who is being saved for the first team game against Sheffield United on Saturday.

"It gives me extra confidence, knowing I've got Tommy playing alongside me at the back," said Cobbs. "He understands the pressure and talks me through the game.

"It's good for the lads to make it to the first team. I look at them and think that could be me in a year's time."

Spare a thought for Dean Cox, another first team sub in the home win over Plymouth back in August. The diminutive winger is two days too old to be eligible for tonight's tie.

Chelsea's visit could have a fringe financial benefit. It gives Albion a chance to press the case for the super-rich Londoners to forego their sell-on entitlement from the £125,000 move of former Seagull Leon Knight to Swansea.

Albion are already guaranteed a £37,500 profit on Knight, which will double if Chelsea agree to their request.

Albion are anticipating a four-figure crowd for tonight's match. Only the north and north-east stands will be open and entry is via the turnstiles at the top of Tongdean Lane, priced £4 adults and £2 concessions (7.30 kick-off).