Paul Milsom has revealed how he sacrificed the opportunity to pull his boots on to face Norwich in front of the TV cameras on Saturday in a bid to help Paulton Rovers have the best possible chance of causing a giant-killing of epic proportions.

Assistant player-manager Milsom misses out on the chance to play in what is to be the biggest clash in Paulton's 127-year history after picking up a two-match suspension for straying over the boundary of his technical area at Bedfont Green a fortnight ago.

The former Bristol City forward served one game of the ban by missing Paulton's Zamaretto Southern League clash with Taunton Town last Saturday and was due to complete the suspension in Wednesday night's game at Bishop's Cleeve.

That was until the FA suggested that Paulton postpone the Cleeve game to allow them a chance to focus on completing their preperations for the visit of Paul Lambert's Coca-Cola League One high-flyers.

Cleeve were reluctant to agree before Milsom stepped into persuade them – even though that meant his chance of what is likely to be one final swansong in front of the TV cameras would be denied.

Milsom said: "The FA suggested that we postpone the Cleeve game so that we could concentrate on preparing for the Norwich match.

"Our manager phoned me to ask what I thought about missing the Norwich game if we cancelled the Cleeve match and I had to make a decision.

"I took the decision I thought was right for the team and put my own desire to play to one side.

"The last thing we needed with such a big game coming up was a match on the Wednesday.

"Cleeve were not too keen on cancelling the match because they were hoping for a few more punters through the turnstiles due to us playing the big cup game against Norwich.

"I know the assistant manager down at Cleeve (Dean Ackland) very well and I spoke to him to explain the situation and managed to persuade them to agree to the postponment.

"It was a tough decision for me personally but, as the assistant manager, I had to look at the bigger picture and for the sake of the club and the team I think it was wise.

"The last thing we needed was to pick up any extra knocks or injuries because if we are to have any chance against Norwich we need to have our strongest team possible."

The vastly-experienced Milsom, who has also had spells in the professional game with Cardiff City and Oxford United, is one of a handful of Paulton players to have already played at this stage of the competition.

He played for Tiverton Town when they reached the first round proper only to be beaten by Doncaster Rovers five years ago.

When asked whether his decision may have been different had he not featured at this stage of the competition before he replied: "Maybe," before adding: "I am still allowed in the dugout on Saturday. I won't be able to play but I'll still be part of it."

The part Milsom has to play has already started after he was asked by manager Andy Jones to peruse a specially-prepared dossier on the current crop of players who feature for the visiting four-time semi-finalists.

"We have had Norwich watched and they have players of obvious quality," said Milson.

"We have got nothing to lose, though, and all we will be saying to the boys is to just go out there enjoy it and make the most of it.

"All players are different and of course some of the lads will be nervous.

"There is going to be apprehension beforehand, but once the game gets under way, you forget all that and just concentrate on the job you have been given to do.

"All we can ask is for them to run their hearts out and then you never know what could happen. It is all about what happens on the day.

"The facilities and the pitch will probably be not the same standard as they are used to and we need to get at them in the first 20 minutes and plant a seed of doubt in their minds.

"We have some good little players with plenty of pace and I think we have the tools to cause them some problems on the break.

"There are always upsets in the cup and there is no reason why it can't be us who causes one."