Quique Sanchez Flores honoured for Watford to face Forest in FA Cup

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores says it will be a "pleasure and an honour" to play a side with such history as Nottingham Forest this weekend.

The Hornets, who overcame Newcastle in the previous round, travel to the City Ground on Saturday to take on Dougie Freedman's side in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Speaking ahead of the tie, Flores recalled fond memories of Forest's incredible back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.

"I remember perfectly the final in the Bernabeu," said Flores. "During that period, there were only a few matches live on TV and this game was one of them.

"In this moment, Nottingham Forest were an amazing team in England so that is why we respect history and respect the team. They have a very good side, they are really organised and they have very energetic players in the middle. We respect them a lot."

Flores will rotate his squad for the City Ground clash with Nordin Amrabat, the £6m arrival from Malaga, and former Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, both expected to start. Odion Ighalo, who has scored 14 times this season, is likely to be rested.

The Spaniard revealed on Thursday he is close to signing Mario Suarez from Fiorentina in a reported £4m deal, while Liverpool youngster Jerome Sinclair is also on his radar.

"I think the amazing news for Watford is that we have the possibility to convince players to come here," said Flores, whose side are 10th in the Premier League. "It means Watford is improving a lot in the last years.

"The players are really clever and they have a lot of information. Before they come to Watford they know everything - the owner, the players, the squad, the staff, the fans - so, when they decide 'OK, I want to go to Watford', it is because the conditions are really good.

"There are a lot of teams in the Premier League with a lot of history so if they decide to come here, it is amazing for us."