EXPERIENCED defender James Clarke is ready for a busy 90 minutes against Premier League giants that he feared would never come.

The Newport County AFC centre-back is readying himself for Marcus Rashford coming off the left wing and Rasmus Hojlund leading the line for Manchester United on Sunday.

The FA Cup has finally delivered for 34-year-old Clarke, who brought up 500 career appearances last season and is an influential figure on and off the field.

The defender had Oxford United, Oxford City, Salisbury, Woking, Bristol Rovers and Walsall on his CV before the Exiles, and had never faced a big gun.

Clarke has gone up against Southampton, then in the Premier League, and Brentford in the League Cup with County but this weekend is special.

South Wales Argus: INFLUENTIAL: County defender James Clarke in action against Barnet in the FA CupINFLUENTIAL: County defender James Clarke in action against Barnet in the FA Cup (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I’ve never been this far in the FA Cup or landed a big fish,” said the defender, who earned a new two-year contract last summer.

“Let’s face it, I’ve been around the block and I am coming towards the end of my career, so it’s probably the last chance saloon for me against a big club.

“I’m an Arsenal fan but getting one of the biggest clubs in the world in Manchester United is amazing.”

Clarke & Co may well have a restless night on Saturday thanks to a combination of excitement and nerves about going up against stellar names.

The defender said: “Make no bones about it, I will be busy! It will be a tough game and a surreal one as well.

“You watch Prem games and can do all the analysis in the world but then things will be different when out there and you are trying to make someone do a certain thing.

“Just look at the names that are coming, there are players who have won World Cups and Champions Leagues.

“We’re League Two players against Premier League players but everyone can rise to an occasion – if they are off it and we are all ridiculously on form then you never know what can happen.

“But it’s also about enjoying it and seeing where that can take us. We want to give a good account of ourselves.”

And what price three on the spin for Clarke in the FA Cup?

The centre-back scored at the near post from a well-crafted in the home tie against Eastleigh – then was harshly penalised for the controversial penalty leveller – then headed in the goal that put the Exiles 2-1 up in the 3-1 win in Hampshire.

“If we get a corner, you never know! Those are the little chances that we might be able to get something from.”

Yet it’s at the other end that Clarke will need to be at his best, and it’s been a long time coming.