PAUL RUTHERFORD doesn't want to let the opportunity to play against a Premier League club slip through Wrexham's grasp.

The Reds face Newport County in an FA Cup second round replay at Rodney Parade tonight.

The reward for the winners is a home game against surprise 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City in a third round tie that is being screened live by the BBC on Sunday January 6.

Midfielder Rutherford would love the chance to line-up against Leicester, who could include the likes of England striker Jamie Vardy and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in their team.

"There is a great incentive on the game, there is the chance to go and play against a team that has recently won the Premier League and are a top-ten Premier League side," said Rutherford.

"It is not often that a lot of us will get to play against a team of that standard so we want to make sure that we bring Leicester to the Racecourse and they don't go to Newport's ground - that's what is riding on the game."

Wrexham were the better side at The Racecourse in the first meeting against League Two outfit Newport but missed chances meant the game finished in a goalless draw.

However, Rutherford says there is belief in the Wrexham camp that they can cause an upset and progress to the third round.

"We were good value against them and arguably we deserved to win the game," said Rutherford.

"We put on a good display and I think we made the Conference proud.

"We showed that we are more than a match for Newport and if the neutral was watching and didn't know what level both sides are at, we made a debate that we are at a very similar level.

"We gave a good account of ourselves and on a different night it could have been a better result for us.

"The final ball was there, the final execution of the shots was there, we came up against an inspired goalkeeper and little things just haven't fallen for us whereas on a different day they possibly do.

"Newport are tough opposition and obviously they are going well in the division above us so we will never underestimate them but we completely believe in our chances to go there and get the win."

Wrexham head to south Wales on the back of Saturday's 2-0 win over Eastleigh which ended a run of four games without a win and keeps the Reds among the National League leaders.

James Jennings' second minute goal gave Wrexham, led by interim manager Graham Barrow, a 1-0 lead and on-loan striker Bobby Grant's first goal for the Reds after the break sealed a deserved victory.

"We were good value for the win," added Rutherford.

"Eastleigh were tough opposition, they have been going well themselves and been on a good run away from home recently.

"It was a tough game but I just felt we were a bit more clinical than them and we had numerous other opportunities where we could have extended the lead further.

"It was a good performance and it was important that we stopped that mini-blip that we have had, and the other results went for us so it was a double bonus that we have managed to make ground on the other teams."