FROM stacking supermarket shelves just two years ago to starring in Newport County’s run to the fifth round of the FA Cup and a tie with the top team in the country, it’s no surprise to hear that Robbie Willmott’s confidence levels are soaring.

The 28-year-old gets to test himself against Premier League powerhouses Manchester City this evening in the next chapter of a career that not so long ago looked to be heading into oblivion.

His fortunes took another turn for the better last week with a new contract through to the summer of 2021, just reward for a run of consistent performances in league and cup this term.

“It has been a good couple of weeks for me and it has been brilliant for my confidence,” said the Harlow-born midfielder.

“I believe in myself a bit more now and Saturday’s match is what dreams are made of for everyone – not just the players, but the supporters as well.

“There has been a lot of hype about my performances over the last couple of weeks.

“It has been good because they have been on TV, although there is now a lot of pressure on me to perform.”

As well as scoring the opener in the fourth-round replay with Middlesbrough, Willmott set-up Padraig Amond’s second and Jamille Matt’s header in the third-round defeat of Leicester City.

He’s now thinking about how he is going to trouble Pep Guardiola’s side on the much-debated Rodney Parade pitch later today.

“I know Benjamin Mendy isn’t going to play, so there are three others I could face – Alex Zinchenko, Danilo or Fabian Delph,” he added.

“I’d prefer to play against Delph because he’s not a natural left-back. That would be ideal for me, although I call him a proper player.

“He’s not a City style player, a David Silva or someone like that, he’s a lot more of a man. If I play against him it will be tough physically, but I would fancy myself.

“I watched Man City at the weekend when they beat Chelsea and it was quite daunting, but that was on a good pitch.

“Now they’ve got to come to Rodney Parade, and I’d be amazed if they can play the same free-flowing football on our pitch.

“They play amazing football and, watching it week in, week out on Match of the Day, you can only sit back and enjoy.

“But when you know you’ve got to play them in a few days’ time it is different – you have to show them respect, but not too much.

“It’s about seeing what you can achieve and striving to be the best you can on the day. The FA Cup is about whoever is better on the day.

“We’ve got a never-say-die attitude and we don’t know when we’re beaten.

“We’ve got nothing to fear and we’ll go out there and have a right good go.”

He continued: “I’d love to swap shirts with someone like Kevin De Bruyne or Leroy Sane because he plays wide like me.

“I’m not sure what they’d use my shirt for, though, probably to wash the car.”