The 19-year-old Blyth Spartans striker faces Premier League side Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup.

And yesterday's fourth round draw has left Spartans with the tantalizing prospect of an away game at Sunderland if they manage to topple their top-flight opponents.

Reay, from Kipling Avenue, West Boldon, said: "This is definitely the biggest game of my life.

"I was excited last night, but a few nerves have crept in this morning. The best thing to do is just go out there and enjoy it, and play the best football I can.

"I've got all my family and friends coming to the game.

"It's a 4,450 sell-out, and probably the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of. Even Blackburn are bringing 1,000 fans up."

Reay, a die-hard Newcastle United fan, said the draw against Sunderland has added an even bigger incentive to win.

"At the club we've tried to keep everything as normal as possible, but it's difficult when you're in the run up to such a massive game," he added.

"We played Gateshead on Thursday in the Conference North, and then had training as normal on Saturday, but everyone was just buzzing, and they couldn't wait for today to come."

While he'd love to get on the scoresheet – he's 18-1 to score first and 350-1 to score a hat-trick – he says all that matters is a victory.

Meanwhile, he rubbished a report in a national newspaper that he'd criticised ex-Newcastle and current Rovers boss Sam Allardyce.

Reay has already played his part in Spartans' success so far, netting twice against Shrewsbury in the first round, and playing in the last-minute victory against Bournemouth.

At the start of this season, the former Boldon School pupil was on the books of League Two side Darlington, but left after becoming frustrated about the direction of his career.

He enrolled on a one-year Association of Accounting Technicians course at South Tyneside College, and went on loan to non-league Harrogate Town.

When that did not work out, he signed a two-year contract with Blyth in October.