Manager Michael Flynn is intent on building ‘something special’ at Newport County, who entertain League Two leaders MK Dons this afternoon.
“I really hope I’m building something special,” he says. “We kept the spine of the team together from last season and that’s why we’ve started so well this season.
“One thing my players are is 100 per cent focused and motivated.”
MK Dons are top of the League Two table by two points, having lost only one of their last 13 League Two fixtures. Within that run, they have won nine of the last 11.
Paul Tisdale is the Dons’ manager and Flynn said: “Paul has done a good job. He’s a good manager who did an extraordinary job at Exeter City.
“He likes to play football, can mix it up as well. Paul has picked up a club who were maybe feeling sorry for themselves after a relegation.
“It’s a tough game because they are the best team in League Two. You only have to look at the run they’ve gone on and it’s going to be a tough one.
“But it’s one that I’m confident that if we’re on our mettle and play to the best of our ability then we can win the game.”
Dons include ex-Newport striker Rhys Healey, who is on loan from Cardiff City, while Alex Gilbey is another former Exiles player in the MK ranks.
“Rhys Healey and Alex Gilbey are two really good boys,” said Flynn.
“Alex was brilliant for us when he came in on loan at a young age. He had the energy to do my running at that point so I could just sit and organise. He was big for us especially in the play-offs.”
MK’s attacking trio of Chuks Aneke, Kieran Agard and Healey could be a big danger to County, but Aneke and Healey are injury doubts.
Winger Robbie Willmott could start for Newpor against Dons.
Willmott came off the bench in Tuesday’s FA Cup win after recovering from a hamstring injury.
County midfield player Charlie Cooper has returned to Forest Green Rovers after both clubs agreed to cut short his loan move.
The 21-year-old arrived at Rodney Parade on a season-long loan in June,
He made 15 appearances for the Exiles, the last coming at Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy on December 4 when he was replaced by the returning Joss Labadie.
Newport County (v MK Dons, 4-4-2), possible: Day, Pipe, Franks, Demetriou (capt), Butler, Bennett, Dolan, Bakinson, Semenyo, Matt, Amond. Bench, from: Townsend, Harris, Sheehan, Forbes, Willmott, Labadie, Pring, Crofts, O’Brien.