NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is hoping Leicester City star Jamie Vardy is rested for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round clash at Rodney Parade, but Exiles defender Mickey Demetriou is looking forward to tangling with the former England striker again.

Vardy has seven goals so far this season for the Foxes and has recently scored the winners at Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League.

And Flynn fears that the former Fleetwood Town man’s experience of non-league football will mean he is ready for a battle at Rodney Parade.

“He’s probably the one who I do want them to rest because he’ll know what it’s like to come here and he’ll be fully up for it,” said the Exiles boss.

“It’s Roy of the Rovers stuff when you look at his career.

“He’s a very talented footballer who has been through all the leagues and he’ll know what it’s like to play at somewhere like Rodney Parade.

“He’s very quick, he’s always on the shoulder [of the defenders] and he’s a good finisher.

“You put those elements together and you’ve got a top striker.

“I hope they rest a few – eight or nine of them – but whoever comes in will have quality,” he added.

“They’re full of internationals so it’s going to be tough.

“We’ll prepare to face Leicester’s strongest team because I bet they’re thinking they might have a chance of winning the FA Cup this season.”

Centre-back Demetriou played against Vardy during the 2011-2012 season and he’s relishing the prospect of testing himself against one of the top strikers in the country for a second time.

“I played against him when he was at Fleetwood,” said Demetriou.

“He was a good player then and you could see that he would make the step up.

“I was at Kidderminster then and he didn’t score so hopefully he doesn’t score on Sunday.

“It’s a big tie for us and we’re all looking forward to it,” added the 28-year-old, who is likely to captain County in the absence of the injured Andrew Crofts.

“Hopefully we can put our experiences from last year to good use and go out and give a good account of ourselves.

“It’s a massive game for us and a nice break from the league.”

County may be struggling in League Two but Demetriou believes they are capable of upsetting the odds against the Foxes.

He continued: “They’re a very good side. They were the Premier League champions three years ago and they’ve got some world class players.

“It will be good to test ourselves against the best. You’ve got to embrace that challenge.

“I think we need to be brave, we obviously need to be solid as well but we can’t show them too much respect. If we do that then it won’t be good.

“We need to start well, hopefully get a goal ahead like last season and hopefully hang on this time.

“There’s going to be an upset somewhere and hopefully it’s us [who produce it].”

Another big win like last year’s victory over Leeds United in round three, or even a repeat of the draw they managed against Tottenham Hotspur, would further boost the club’s coffers.

And Demetriou says the players are all aware of the importance of a cup run to clubs like County.

“Every lower league club relies on good FA Cup runs,” said the stand-in skipper.

“Obviously last year helped us massively, it helped us stay afloat.

“We need an FA Cup run and thankfully we’ve got it again this year and hopefully it will give the gaffer a bit of money to bring a few more players in and add strength in depth because we’re a little short on numbers at the moment.”