Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day

Tottenham face one of England’s most progressive teams tomorrow as Stevenage combine their quest for a third successive promotion with their best ever FA Cup run.

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»Tottenham have certainly had the luck of the draw in the FA Cup so far and, having overcome Cheltenham and Watford, a victory over League One outfit Stevenage would leave them in the quarter-finals – just one game from a semi-final at Wembley.

Spurs are currently on course to reach the last eight without having to face a single Premier League opponent. And, while a home draw would have put the icing on the cake, the Lilywhites are big favourites to progress – whether it is at the first attempt or after a replay at White Hart Lane.

A shock elimination before Sunday’s draw looks unlikely – and yet Tottenham will do well to recognise that they are up against one of the most ambitious, progressive clubs in the country.

Stevenage have been promoted for the last two seasons in a row and are now fighting hard to make it three. The Boro currently sit inside the play-off spots in League One, with a place in the Championship firmly in their sights after just one defeat in their last 20 games in all competitions.

They also have a strong cup pedigree, having won the FA Trophy in 2007 and 2009 and been the runners-up in 2010.

That was followed by a giant-killing against Newcastle in the third round of the FA Cup last season, and the current run includes Reading’s scalp in the third round. Boro are now in the fifth round for the first time ever.

The fact that Stevenage drew Tottenham, who play just 30 miles away, only adds to the occasion as the hosts gear up for one of the biggest matches in their history.

Goalkeeper Chris Day will be facing his former club on Sunday, having started his career at Spurs and spent five years at White Hart Lane, making one Premier League appearance before moving on to Crystal Palace in 1996.

The right-back Ronnie Henry also has links with the Lilywhites as the grandson of Ron Henry, who played around 250 games for Tottenham and won the Double in 1961.

Scott Laird is likely to line up at left-back, alongside the captain, centre-back Mark Roberts, and his defensive partner Jon Ashton.

Stevenage’s manager Gary Smith is a former Arsenal scout, and he has used his contacts to recruit some of the Gunners’ younger stars.

The powerful 18-year-old midfielder Chuks Aneke is currently on loan from Arsenal, and 19-year-old Luke Freeman made his loan move permanent in January.

Like Tottenham, Stevenage’s wide men are key to their approach, and Freeman is likely to line up on the left against Spurs, while Lawrie Wilson is also a tricky customer on the other flank.

Quick and direct, Wilson’s final ball sometimes lets him down but, having originally played as a right-back, he is defensively astute and Leeds are believed to be interested in procuring his services.

In the centre, Michael Bostwick likes to get from box to box and try his luck from distance, while his current midfield partner Joe Byron is more of a playmaker, boasting a good range of passing.

Stevenage tend to share the goals around – no-one is particularly prolific – and the top scorer, Chris Beardsley, has only struck nine times this season.

The 27-year-old forward is not generally known for his goals, having hit the net 17 times in 98 games for Stevenage, but the dedicated work-horse has a hard-earned reputation for his tireless work ethic, and his diligence in harrying opposing defenders.

Beardsley’s strike partner, 24-year-old Darius Charles, is a big, physical forward who has made the move from left-back into the front line, and has contributed five goals this season.

The verdict: Tottenham were less than convincing when they travelled to Watford and squeezed past the Hornets in the last round, but a virtually full-strength Spurs side should have too much for Stevenage – 2-0 to the Lilywhites.

Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs