Ex-Shamrock Rovers eager to make long-awaited Blackpool debut against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup

The right-back is in line to start for the Seasiders against Nottingham Forest with Callum Connolly serving his one-match suspension following his red card against Sunderland on New Year’s Day.

Lyons has been training with his new side since finishing up with his former side Shamrock Rovers in November, but hasn’t been able to make his debut until now.

“It’s been really good,” Lyons said of his recent preparation.

“We played in European football last year so that gives you a taster of what’s to come, but it’s completely different. You can train all you want and the standard is really good in training, so I probably had to adapt to that for the first few days to get used to it.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system because I had a few weeks off after the season finished in Ireland, so that initial shock definitely hit me.

“I think it’s going to come with games though. I’ve never played at this level so we’ll have to see when I step-up and start playing games.

“Normally when you start doing that you get a bit more comfortable and you start to thrive, so I’m looking forward to it.”

The Seasiders take on a Forest side that sit 15th in the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship last season.

Steve Cooper’s side have enjoyed a positive week in the top tier, taking four points out of their last two games to move out of the bottom three.

“We’ll see what happens but it’s a tough test and a tough draw because they’re a Premier League side,” Lyons added.

“It’s going to be my first time playing in the FA Cup so it’s a new competition for me, but it’s going to be a tough draw whoever you face whether you’re home or away.

“The FA Cup is something you always watch. I’ve never been to an FA Cup game but when you’re at home and watching it on Match of the Day it’s something that’s been there for years and it’s something you always keep an eye on.”