After their FA Cup clash with Stoke last week, Lewes are used to mixing it with the big boys.

And, in terms of reputation, they don't come much bigger than Julian Dicks.

On Tuesday Lewes come face to face with the former West Ham hardman when they visit Canvey Island in the first round of the Isthmian League Cup.

Dicks, who also played for Liverpool in a career riddled with red cards and controversy, recently started playing for Ryman League Premier Division side Canvey.

It was the first time he had played since being forced to retire early from the professional game through injury and his return to action has coincided with Canvey's FA Cup heroics.

Dicks' third appearance for Canvey came in last Saturday's shock 1-0 first round win over Second Division Wigan when former Ipswich and Colchester striker Neil Gregory hit an 88th minute winner.

Canvey boss Jeff King was pleased with the performance of the former Hammers star. He said: "Julian played and he did very well. He was up against Paul Dalglish, who was formidable, but they didn't score so obviously Julian did very well."

Lewes produced some FA Cup heroics themselves but were unable to join Canvey in the second round, losing 2-0 to Stoke last Sunday.

Tuesday's Isthmian League Cup tie offers the Rooks a second chance at a giant-killing, albeit on a lesser scale, but they must get past one of the game's most notorious hardmen to do so.

Luke Dowling walked out on Lewes this week after being left out of the 16 on duty at Stoke.

However, manager Jimmy Quinn believes this is the only low note of a terrific cup adventure.

It is one which Quinn believes will help his squad as they continue to challenge for honours on other fronts, including a promotion push in Ryman Division Two, a defence of the Sussex Senior Cup and a crack at the FA Vase, where they are already through to the last 64.

Quinn said: "The players can only benefit from playing in games like this. Players are gaining experience which they are lucky to get.

"We have a good team spirit, a good bunch of players and they are learning all the time.

"This is an experience which probably won't happen to them again and I would expect them to improve as a team.

"If their attitude is correct, they will improve from that. We have seen how hard it is but also how much fun it is."