Exiles Take On Championship Challenge At High Noon

Newport County manager Michael Flynn . Pic: Getty Images.

Exiles Take On Championship Challenge At High Noon

Michael Flynn has belief in his Newport County players and insists Championship club Leeds United are in for a rough ride at Rodney Parade on Sunday (Noon).

The clubs clash in an FA Cup third round tie being broadcast live on BBC television and the match is virtually an 8,000 sell-out.

“We’re quietly confident,” said Flynn. “Leeds are a quality side who have excellent players throughout the team and it will be a tough afternoon.

“But I really do have a great group of players here and I’ve said that many times.

“I can’t speak highly enough of them because nothing has fazed them.

“We all know it’s a huge game, only the second time Newport have made the third round in 32 years. The last time we were in the fourth round was 1978-79.

“This is a first visit to Rodney Parade for Leeds and they will be out of their comfort zone. Make no bones about that.

“It’s an early kick-off, they have had to stay overnight and are coming to a stadium which, let’s be honest, is not as good as they are used to.

“It will be different for them. I’d be surprised if the wind wasn’t swirling, maybe a bit of rain and the conditions will be difficult.

“We need to get in there and make it uncomfortable for them.”

County have strengthened their squad by signing Josh Sheehan from Swansea City and Aaron Collins on loan from Wolves. Collins, though, is cup-tied and cannot feature against Leeds.

Striker Paul Hayes is available after his registration was confirmed.

Sheehan, 22, enjoyed a successful loan spell at Rodney Parade last season before suffering a serious knee injury and his signing has been part-funded by Newport County Supporters Club.

County have signed 20-year-old striker Collins on loan from Wolves until the end of the season, while Shawn McCoulsky has extended his loan from Bristol City through to next May.

McCoulsky, also aged 20, has scored 10 goals in all competitions for League Two County.

Collins has been playing on loan at Maidstone United and Flynn says: “I have always kept an eye on Aaron and feel I can get the best out of him.

“He’s talented and it’s obvious to me that he’s ready.”

Aaron Williams and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb are back at Newport after their loan spells at Brackley and Torquay United respectively ended, while Lamar Reynolds and Joe Quigley have moved on.

National League Leyton Orient have signed Reynolds, 22, until the end of the season, while Quigley has returned to AFC Bournemouth at the end of his loan.

Newport County, possible: Newport County, possible: J Day, S Bennett, M Demetriou, B White, M Dolan, J Labadie, D Pipe, D Butler, P Amond, S McCoulsky.

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