West Ham United defender James Tomkins believes the club’s experience of playing the Championship will stand them in good stead when they take on Bristol City in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Hammers take on the League One high-flyers following a 9-8 penalty shoot-out win over Everton in the last round.

And the Basildon-born defender has backed West Ham to move into the fifth round at the expense of their lower league opposition, having been promoted from the second tier in the 2011/12 season.

"It's a bit different coming up against a team we haven't played for a while,” said the 25-year-old. “I think our experience of playing in the Championship not that long ago will help us, we know what to expect more or less. Obviously, they are doing very well in League One. It'll be a physical game and they will try and bully us, it'll be a hard game for sure.

"Bristol City won't be an easy game. Anyone can beat anyone in the FA Cup. It'll be a hard place to go because they are doing well in the league.

"I'm sure there is a bit more pressure on us as we are the favourites being the Premier League side. We're expected to win. But Bristol City are a strong side and we'll treat it like they are a Premier League team. We can't underestimate them as we've seen it over the years. I remember watching lots of shocks as a kid. But hopefully that won't happen on Sunday."

Speaking about the shoot-out win over Everton in the last round, the centre back said: "It was obviously nice to beat Everton in a very exciting clash. It was nice to come through that with a win.

"The game had a bit of everything, it was an exciting match. There was a red card, penalties and I'm sure for the neutral it was great. Obviously playing in it was a bit different! When Enner (Valencia) scored I thought we were going to win the game quite comfortably but it didn't go quite like that."

But Bristol City come into the game in fine form, winning six of their last seven matches. And Tomkins is taking nothing for granted against the side 38 league places below them in the football league.

The last time the two sides met, back in April 2012, it ended 1-1 at Ashton Gate, with Tomkins opening the scoring with a header at the back post.

"I think it was in the first 15, 20 minutes or so. We had a wide free kick, I think it was Nobes who put the ball in which puts us 1-0 up. We drew that game 1-1 in the end.

“But we want a win this time.”