Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is confident his players will handle the pressure of a penalty shoot-out should tonight's FA Cup third-round replay against Cardiff City still not be resolved after extra-time.

In buoyant mood following Saturday's 4-2 victory over Preston North End, the Robins will approach the tie believing they can prevail over 90 minutes. But in the event extra-time is required and the Severnside rivals are still locked together at the end of two hours of football, Johnson has taken steps to prepare his team for trial by spot-kicks.

Some players yesterday stayed behind and spent time practising penalties after training and Johnson is confident he has enough senior professionals with both the technique and temperament to cope with the cauldron-like atmosphere inside the imposing Cardiff City Stadium.

He said: "We've spoken about the possibility of it going to penalties and it's something we will be prepared for if it happens.

"We've practiced spot kicks in training and we have enough lads who can step up if needed. I've told them to keep it simple, not try anything different or fancy and just to focus on making a good connection and hitting the target. "Obviously, you cannot replicate the conditions inside the stadium on the training pitch, because we will have to contend with thousands of people in blue and yellow trying to put us off.

"But I know which lads have the technique and they know they have to trust in that technique if it comes to a shoot-out. We certainly won't be afraid of it."

In the event of the tie being decided by spot-kicks, Johnson will select his penalty takers at the end of extra-time rather than before kick-off.

He added: "It's difficult to know which players will still be on the field at that late stage. You can draw up a list and then be forced to change it all because of injuries or substitutions you have had to make.

"There could also be a problem with selecting someone and then he has a poor game and is no longer feeling confident.

"If it comes to it, I'll sort it out at the end of the game. I think I know which ones can handle the pressure and it will be a matter of looking them in the eye before deciding who to put on the spot."

Johnson is urging his players to avoid any repeat of the mistakes which cost them so dearly on their last visit to the Welsh capital. Cardiff ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in front of the Sky TV cameras in August and City's manager admits the Bluebirds are favourites to progress to the fourth round and a home tie with Coca-Cola Championship rivals Leicester.

He said: "Teams that draw away from home against opponents from the same league are generally considered favourites when the replay comes around and that is the case with this tie.

"We will be confident after a very good result and performance at the weekend, but I've reminded the boys they have to compete.

"We allowed Cardiff to have too much of the play and dictate the tempo when we played them at their place earlier in the season and we cannot afford to make the same mistake.

"If we can get on the ball, stop them having too much of it and then make the most of any luck that might be going, we will be in with a chance."

City will almost certainly have to make do without striker Danny Haynes, who is nursing a tight hamstring and is unlikely to be risked.

Johnson could retain the 4-4-2 formation which worked so well against Preston and recall either David Clarkson or Alvaro Saborio to partner Nicky Maynard in attack, or he could opt to restore Marvin Elliott to the starting line-up and play with five across midfield.

Meanwhile, Bristol City's postponed Championship match at Crystal Palace, originally scheduled for January 9, has been rearranged for February 2. But the new date is subject to neither side having an FA Cup fourth-round replay the same week.