PAUL SMITH can't wait to take on former club Brentford - and admits there has already been a bit of banter with his ex-teammates.

The Saints goalkeeper has impressed in recent weeks as replacement to the injured Antti Niemi and knows Brentford will pose a firm test in tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round clash.

He said: "I've had a few messages winding me up. There are players I have played with that are still doing well.

"I'm looking forward to it - it's a big game for myself and the club.

"We want to be in the next round, in the next draw and one thing for me is that it is against my old club and some familiar faces, so it's a good game to look forward to.

"The squad has changed quite a bit since I was there."

Smith, who made 104 appearances for Brentford between August 2000 and January last year, still follows the progress of his former club.

He said: "It was a good result for them at Hartlepool and it will be a tough encounter for us.

"It's a big tie for them at a Premier League ground.

"They will be a good strong unit, otherwise they wouldn't have got this far.

"It's funny how things work out. Obviously, I've been at the club for a year and it has taken a bit of time for me to get my start.

"I played more than 100 games for Brentford and I was happy there.

"But I was always looking forward to the chance to play in the Premier League and that's what I've done."

Smith, whose only senior start for Saints was in the last match at home to Everton, believes progress in the cup can build momentum for the Premiership survival bid.

He said: "It's a chance to progress in the cup, so it's not a break, more a chance to get results to carry forward in the league.

"There is pressure on us because we are at home and we are expected to win.

"There's no reason why we can't get a result, although they will obviously be looking forward to it."

Smith, 25, has already experienced the magic of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - he played in their 2-0 play-off final loss to Stoke in 2002 - and believes Saints have every chance of returning to the scene of the 2003 FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal.

He added: "There is no reason why we can't get through to the Cup final.

"I've played in Cardiff in the play-offs - it is a massive ground and a massive occasion.

"No doubt some of the players will want to relive that again."

Just by playing against his old club tomorrow, Smith helps them financially - part of his £500,000 transfer included £200,000 to be paid after a certain number of appearances.