The Magpies are unbeaten this season whereas Forest have lost their last three games, including a 2-1 home defeat by local rivals Derby on Saturday.

But Pardew is taking nothing for granted ahead of the third-round tie.

"For us, winning the Premier League is a little bit out of reach, so it makes sense to try and win a cup," he told the club's official website www.nufc.co.uk.

"That is what we are going to try and do, and it is a competition we feel we can do well in, but Nottingham Forest will have something to say about that for sure."

Championship side Leeds will be hoping to repeat their FA Cup exploits from two seasons ago when they take on Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United at Elland Road.

The then League One side beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford and boss Simon Grayson hopes to repeat the feat in their much-anticipated game.

Grayson has shrugged off the suggestion his team are "dirty" following criticisms about the number of red cards they have had this season.

"Look at the four cards we've had," he told the club's official website, www.leedsunited.com.

"When you look at them, you can't say we're a dirty team.

"If I had players going over the top and making crude challenges then we should have some sort of criticism but not at this particular time."

Also tomorrow, Arsenal, fresh from a sore 4-3 defeat at Blackburn, host League Two side Shrewsbury, and Aston Villa play Bolton.

Tottenham travel to Stoke, Blackburn host Leyton Orient, Wolves play Millwall and Crystal Palace face Middlesbrough for the second time in four days.

On Wednesday, Cardiff host Leicester, Chelsea play Fulham, Manchester City tackle Birmingham while Championship leaders Southampton host Preston and Everton take on West Brom.