Gus Poyet has warned his Albion players not to drop their guard and allow the prospect of an FA Cup run to deflect from their league troubles.

Today’s second round tie at home to Rushden and Diamonds has coincided with a flurry of tough League One fixtures and is followed by Tuesday’s visit of Charlton.

Boss Poyet is mindful of the danger of FA Cup success overriding the priority of escaping from the wrong end of the table.

He said: “There is a fine line between getting your confidence back and relaxing because you win.

“Sometimes you get the Cup in the middle and it happens to many clubs that they win the Cup game and lose the league games.

“They put all their effort into that and then relax a little because they get a win.

“That is not acceptable. We need to make sure every single game is the same. I don’t think anyone wants to win today and lose on Tuesday.

“I know it is important to give you confidence and get back to winning ways but don’t forget if we win it means no points. It is very important today, even more important on Tuesday.”

Underdogs Rushden have been in good form in the Blue Square premier under Justin Edinburgh, who served the Spurs defence for ten years before Poyet moved to White Hart Lane.

“It’s going to be tough,” Poyet said. “They are going to come here and put up a great fight.

“If someone thinks it is going to be easy they are going to suffer during the game, because I am 100 per cent sure it is going to be difficult.

“It’s up to me to make sure we are aware and it’s up to us to make sure we win the game.”Xx