Manager Roberto Mancini is set to make at least six changes to his starting line-up for the third-round replay with Sven-Goran Eriksson's Leicester at Eastlands.
Victory would book a very winnable trip to Notts County, which could then leave City just two victories from a Wembley semi-final - and three away from their first major final since 1981.
For a club currently so ambitious, but which has been starved of success for so long, it would be an appearance to relish.
Which is why De Jong is convinced no one at City should be dismissing what the FA Cup has to offer.
"You cannot put anything on a pedestal, including the Premier League or the Champions League," said the Dutchman. "The highest point for every footballer is the World Cup, but silverware is silverware. You can't just say we're going for this trophy or that one."
Source: PA
Source: PA