Darren Moore will allow West Brom to dream of Wembley but only if they beat Brighton.
The Baggies host the Seagulls in their FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday after a 0-0 draw at the Amex last month.
The winners host Derby in the fifth round and victory against the Rams would put them into the quarter-finals – a game away from a Wembley semi-final.
Moore reached the last eight with Albion as a player in 2002 and, with the Baggies fourth in the Sky Bet Championship, he also wants his squad to be ambitious in the FA Cup.
"You can dream! But before we can even start going down that road, we've got real tough opposition coming here," said the Albion boss.
"Chris (Hughton) is a proven manager, I've got a huge admiration for him, he's somebody I look up to and aspire to because of his work and consistency. We know his team will be tough opposition.
"I've got a huge admiration for Chris, he's done a fabulous job throughout his career. I look forward to seeing him.
"We're in an exciting part of the season, the confidence is good here, the team morale and togetherness is there. We're fighting for one another."
Moore is without his three new loan signings with Jacob Murphy cup-tied and Jefferson Montero and Stefan Johansen ineligible having joined after the first tie.
Matt Phillips is out with an ankle injury with Moore expected to keep faith with teenagers Jonathan Leko and Rekeem Harper and 20-year-old Sam Field.
He said: "Last week (against Brighton) they gave a good account of themselves. It shows the work we've been doing at the academy.
"I've kept them in and around the squad and they've benefited from it. I've played them in the cup and the league, brought them in here and there.
"They've shown that they are capable of holding their own. If it's right for me to select them I'll have no hesitation in doing so."
