Plymouth Argyle are gearing themselves up for one of the biggest games at Home Park for many years, when Premier League giants Everton come to town for tomorrow's third round FA Cup tie. With Wayne Rooney having made the short journey to Manchester United, Argyle fans may have to make do with the Toffees new signing £6 million striker James Beattie from Southampton. Beattie didnt exactly distinguish himself in Argyle's 3-1 pre-season friendly defeat at the hands of Southampton and Argyle fans will be hoping he produces the same form this time round for his new employers. Argyles last appearance in this round was the embarrassing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Dagenham & Redbridge two years ago. Argyle's record against Everton is also pretty dismal, with the Merseysiders knocking out Argyle in all of the FA Cup ties in which they have met. The last time the two met was in January 1989, when Everton won a third round replay 4-0 and Kevin Summerfield suffered a broken leg. It just wasn't Argyle's day in the first tie at Home Park. After Sean McCarthy scored for Argyle, the unfortunate Adrian Burrows gave away a penalty for a 1-1 draw and a replay at Goodison Park. The bookies will find it almost impossible not to give very short odds on an Everton victory, but this is the FA Cup and anything is possible. Williamson has a difficult task of picking a team good enough to compete. He is without the services of cup-tied new striker Scott Taylor who looks every inch a goal scorer, leaving him with just two front men in Mickey Evans and Marino Keith, after Stevie Crawford opted to join Dundee United for £80,000. The midfield has been further reduced by Lee Makel's move back to Scotland, although Bjarni Gudjonsson is proving to be more than an adequate replacement. Argyle have also been linked with Dundee striker Steve Lovell. Williamson's main problem will be in defence where Matt K Doumbe will have his work cut out to hold the likes of Beattie, Kevin Campbell and Marcus Bent. The manager could go for captain Paul Wotton as a central partner, although he was cruelly exposed to pace against Ipswich, or Hasney Aljofree, or even move Steve Adams into the back four. The manager may also surprise everyone by giving Saltash teenager Ryan Dickson a run. The problem is wherever you look, Everton have no obvious weaknesses. Williamson will also be hoping for better refereeing after scrutinised the match day video of Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Ipswich Town. Ipswich manager Joe Royle was in ebullient mood after the game saying he thought both penalty appeals were right. Not so suggests the video. The first by Ian Westlake brought hoots of laughter from the Devonport End, as a theatrical dive went unpunished by referee Dermott Gallagher. The second also fooled Gallagher. Bent is clearly seen to leap over goalkeeper Romain Larrieu without making contact before crashing to the ground. This time a penalty was awarded leaving Argyle once again facing a mountain to climb.

Austrian international striker Mario Haas of Sturm Graz could be on the way to Home Park. The 30 year old, who played against England in a 2-2 draw, has been training at Home Park this week, but is expected to cost in the region of £300,000.

The minute's silence for the tsunami disaster victims at Home Park was impeccably observed by Saturday's 17,923 gate. The fans were also in generous mood, raising £15,436.39 for the tsunami appeal, which the Argyle board doubled to make a total donation of £30,872.78.

Fixtures - FA Cup: Sat Jan 8 Everton (H) 5.30pm (also live on BBC TV). Coca-Cola Championship: Sat Jan 15 Gillingham (A) 3pm. Reserves: Tue January 11 Bristol City (H) 7pm.