Mark Lillis says it’s crucial Huddersfield Town’s talented teenagers make the most of their FA Youth Cup experience.

They take on holders Chelsea in a fourth-round tie at Aldershot on Tuesday (7.05).

Town’s preparations will mirror the pre-match at first-team level, with an overnight stay and training session on the morning of the game.

And Lillis explained: “If our lads progress the way we want them to, trips like this will become a regular thing because they will be playing at senior level.”

Popular former Town player Lillis heads up Town’s talked-about academy system.

Tony Carss and Ian Bennett, also Town old boys, team up with ex-Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Leeds United player Leigh Bromby to look after the Under 18s, who made the quarter-finals last year.

Town, 1-0 winners at Barnsley on Friday, are top of the Professional Development League II North table.

But academy manager Lillis accepts Chelsea will be tough opponents.

They top the Under 18 Premier League Southern section.

And the Blues, who beat Fulham over two legs in last season’s final, have won the Youth Cup three times in the last five seasons.

“We’re under no illusions, but while we want the lads to enjoy the trip, we also want them to go into the game with self-belief,” said Lillis.

“We work hard to instil a strong mentality into all our teams, and we are playing Chelsea on merit.

“Don’t forget we beat West Brom and Manchester United in the Youth Cup last season and Stoke City the year before that.

“We have already got past Crystal Palace this time, and our Under 21s recently beat Everton.

“We’ll respect Chelsea, of course, but we can’t be overawed.”

Lillis says the way Town’s players handle the occasion will be telling.

“It’s different because it’s at a proper stadium, under lights and in front of more spectators than normal,” he added.

“You look to see how players cope, whether they can deal with that additional pressure.”

Town Under 21s head to Rotherham United for a Final Third Development League Cup tie on Tuesday (1.00).

Frankie Bunn’s side have so far beaten Mansfield Town 2-1 at home and drawn 2-2 at Doncaster Rovers.

They are third in Northern Group B, with Rotherham top having taken six points from three matches.

Derby County, Town’s visitors to PPG Canalside on Tuesday, January 20 (1.00), are the other team in the section.