AT AROUND 7.30pm tonight (Saturday), Island-born footballer Dan Butler could be celebrating arguably the biggest giant-killing act in FA Cup history when his Newport County side take on Pep Guardiola's star-studded Manchester City team.

After the former Cowes High School student created his biggest career milestone yet by being on the winning side against Middlesbrough in the fourth round, he now looks forward to locking horns with the defending Premier League champions at Rodney Parade.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Dan Butler, centre, after he celebrated one of his first goals for Newport two years ago.  Photo: Newport County FC

Dan, a left wing back for the League 2 minnows, has enjoyed more than his fair share of magic in the FA Cup at Rodney Parade with a draw against Spurs, which resulted in a replay at Wembley Stadium, and wins over Leicester City, and Leeds United since he joined the club in June 2016 from Torquay United.

To put this afternoon's tie into perspective, Man city's bench alone is worth more than £120 million, while Newport's first team squad alone is worth a tiny fraction of it.

With Pep Guardiola mindful of the tie being a potentially embarrassing banana skin, he is likely to put out a strong side — perhaps his strongest — with Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne and Silva in the line-up.

Newport's match against Man City will be televised live on BT Sport 2, today at 5.30pm.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Dan Butler, playing for Portsmouth Academy against Bristol City in 2012.  Photo: Portsmouth FC

Speaking exclusively to the Isle of Wight County Press ahead of the game, Dan was still pinching himself about the dream tie.

"Playing Man City this weekend is one of those games you can only dream of playing in as a League 2 footballer," said the 24 year old Islander.

"Sometimes, if you're lucky, you may play one of the top teams in pre-season, but very rarely in the fifth round of the FA Cup. 

Isle of Wight County Press:

Dan Butler (wearing blue and white stripes) in action for Cowes U11s in 2005.  FILE

"It's essentially a free hit for us — the opportunity to cause one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history, with nobody except ourselves thinking we can actually do it.

"The boys and I believe we can win.

"We know it’s going to be tough and that, as a group, we will have to be at our very best and hope they have an off day.

"But it’s a game of football and anything is possible.

"They are coming to our patch — a place where big teams in the past have struggled — knowing that nothing less than a win is good enough.

"Unless you’ve been to Rodney Parade before, it is hard to explain how good the atmosphere really is.

"The fans are our 12th man, making it a very hostile and intimidating place for any team to come to.

"This is a massive factor in us doing so well at home since I’ve been at the club and why we have done so well against better teams in the FA Cup.  

"I would be lying if I didn’t dream of one day playing against this calibre of players every week.

"Every Sunday, I sit on the sofa and watch these players do the business against the best players in the world — the likes of Sterling, Aguero, Stones and Walker. 

"You never know when you're going to get the opportunity to test yourself against the best again, so we will be doing everything we can to make the most of it.

"The people of Newport are coming together to hopefully make tonight one of the best nights in the club's history. 

"I live about 500 yards from the ground and the atmosphere is building. It’s crazy.

"The club has built two extensions to the ground to fit in another 2,000 fans. This meant there was a queue for about half a mile down my road when tickets went on sale. 

"It all adds to the excitement and anticipation we could actually do this — actually beat Manchester City.

"It will be the biggest test in my short career, but if you don’t believe it, then you will never achieve it.

"Fingers crossed they have an off day."