Newport County take on a huge Carabao Cup task when they take on Leeds United at Elland Road this evening (7.45pm).
“It’s a brilliant tie,’ says County manager Michael Flynn, who is upbeat about his teams chances.
Flynn’s men were drawn at home against Leeds, but switched the tie to Elland Road because a new playing surface is being laid at Rodney Parade.
“It’s a great stadium and a great club, full of history, they’ve had legends there over the years, players and managers,” said Flynn.
He has fond memories of Elland Road having scored an amazing goal as a player for Bradford in a clash in the same competition against Leeds six years ago.
“It’s brilliant, I was fortunate to play there for Bradford, live on TV and I scored a 30-yarder with my left foot, in the top corner,” said Flynn.
“It was a big derby with 37,000 people there, It was a great atmosphere.”
Leeds came out on top 3-2 with former Bluebirds striker Ross McCormack firing the winner.
The Yorkshire club have agreed to honour the usual 45 per cent share of attendance income with their visitors even though they did not have to.
“The gesture they’ve made to the club with an even share of the gate money is brilliant, and I would like to thank Leeds,” said Flynn. “It’s a touch of class, but we’ll be going to Leeds looking to win the game.
“It’s huge for us. when we beat Southend I was asked who we wanted to play and I said whoever makes the club the most money. Outside the bigger Premier League, Leeds are one of those clubs so it was a good draw.
“It’s a tough ask, but if the players are not looking forward to that then they are probably in the wrong game. Let’s go there and give a good account of ourselves.
“If we can beat Leeds and get another big draw we can fill the coffers and I’m sure the board would be happy with that.
“But the league is our bread and butter, I want to get up the table, get points on the board and anything else in the club is a bonus.”
Newport have played all of their fixtures away so far this season, but return to Rodney Parade on Saturday when Chesterfield are visitors for a League Two fixture (3pm).
Newport County, possible v Leeds: J Day, B White, M Demetriou, S Bennett, S Rigg, M Dolan, R Willmott, D Butler, D Pipe, L Reynolds, S McCoulsky. Bench, from: J Bittner, M O’Brien, C Jahraldo-Martin, J Quigley, T Owen-Evans, F Nouble, J Foulston, J Labadie.
