Rickie Lambert is after revenge for Southampton on Bristol Rovers

Rickie Lambert makes an emotional return to the Memorial Stadium tonight aiming to avenge the moment he knocked Southampton out of the FA Cup.

The former Gas favourite – rated "the best player in League One" by his new boss Alan Pardew – will lead the Saints' attack in tonight's first-round showdown.

Two years ago, Lambert captured the headlines when he scored the only goal in the fifth-round meeting between the clubs in a game screened live on national TV.

It earned the Pirates – the club he left in a £1 million move at the start of the season – a place in the last 16 for the first time in 50 years.

"It was obviously a good day for me and I can understand why the Saints fans want revenge for that. That's all I'll be trying to do tonight," said Lambert.

"Playing in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup was one of the biggest games of my career."

Lambert has already banged in 11 goals for the Saints this season – including one against Bristol Rovers in the visitors' dramatic 3-2 triumph at St Mary's earlier this season.

"I'm feeling very good and like I'm going to score in every game," said Lambert. "That sort of confidence is good to have. The experience I had with Rovers last season has helped me – and the shape I'm in and the confidence I have has all come together."

Rovers' boss Paul Trollope wants Gasheads to give Lambert a good reception this evening – but then get right behind the home side.

He said: "Our fans gave Rickie a fantastic reception at St Mary's and I'm sure he'll get the same again tonight. He gave us good service and scored some great and important goals to help our progress over the past few years.

"I'm sure he'll get the respect I think he deserves – but on the pitch we will have to be aware of his ability, his vision, his awareness and touch.

"He's still banging the goals in – he got two more last weekend – and he's a threat from set-pieces in and around the box, which we have to be very aware of.

"But we don't fear him or Southampton in any way and we are going into the game with the same intent we had at St Mary's – to attack them, be positive and try and get the first goal.

"The FA Cup is always special and a Friday night game under the lights at the Memorial Stadium is even more so.

"Our support has been fantastic – even though they have seen us have two drastically different months in September and October.

"We need them out in force and I am sure they will give us the support they always do. Hopefully we can get on the type of run that saw us do so well in the competition a couple of years ago."

Pardew has been delighted with Lambert's contribution so far and said: "He's a brilliant player. I think he's the best player in the division and he's proving that at the moment," he said.

"The signs that I'm seeing are a player that's undervalued and under-appreciated from outside.

"I don't think Southampton fans under-appreciate him or undervalue him, and nor would Bristol Rovers fans, because they both know him. He's a very, very good player."

Rovers head into the game with keeper Mikkel Andersen and striker Chris Dickson unavailable, and will also be without injured left-back Aaron Lescott and central defender Danny Coles.

Rhys Evans is expected to take over the gloves, with Darryl Duffy also in the running for a call-up.

"Players who have been waiting patiently for their chance and have shown an exemplary attitude in training will get their opportunity in a cracking cup tie," added Trollope.

"We know it's a tough challenge, because the two teams are in vastly different runs of form going into the game.

"We need to get going again and kick-start our season.

"But the confidence factor is the biggest thing and despite having some disappointing results in recent weeks, the players have shown a confidence in themselves, which allowed them to pass the ball well at MK Dons last week. They have also shown an excellent spirit in training this week."