ALEX Woodyard admits the prospect of playing in front of millions has everyone at Lincoln City extremely excited.

The former Concord Rangers midfielder is expected to start in tonight’s FA Cup third round replay against Ipswich Town.

National League Lincoln drew 2-2 with the Championship side 10 days ago, with only a late equaliser denying them a place in the next round.

And England C midfielder Woodyard is determined to put on a good display in front of a packed Sincil Bank and secure a home tie with Brighton & Hove Albion.

“I can’t wait,” said Woodyard, 23, who spent last season at Braintree Town. “It looks like it will be a full house and I am really excited to play in front of what I'm sure will be a lot of fans.

“It’s nice to be on TV and it’s a chance to show people what Lincoln City are all about.

“I have played for great teams in Essex but Lincoln belongs in the Football League. It is different in terms of support as we get 4,000 fans a week here. It is just incredible.”

Defensive-minded Woodyard actually had a chance to win the original tie, only for the Ipswich defence to get back and deny him a run at goal.

But he said he is enjoying every part of this season, with Lincoln currently two points clear at the top of the National League, and with games in hand on the chasers.

“I don’t even know why I made that run,” he laughed. “I started from the edge of my box and just couldn’t keep going.

“But it was a great experience for us. It is always good to play against the best players as it tests you. I was able to see how far I had come and that was a nice feeling.

“But now I want more.”

Lincoln have gone from strength-to-strength since Danny and Nicky Cowley made the move from Braintree in the summer.

Having proven successes at Concord and Braintree, the brothers are now proving their worth as a full-time football management team, with Woodyard a key cog in all of their successful sides.

And the midfielder said it is little surprise to him that the former FitzWimarc School PE teachers have made such a seamless transition in their careers.

“Since going full-time they have upped everything,” said Woodyard. “I enjoy playing with them so much because they do things properly and they give the players all they need to do well.

“They have earned the praise they are getting and we are now in a position to do well in the cups and the league.

“We have a good opportunity in the league now but we know how hard it is and we need to be on our game every week. We are always learning and are doing all we can to be successful”.

Lincoln’s match with Ipswich will be shown live on BBC1 tonight, with kick-off at 8:05pm.