Familiar faces line up against County

NEWPORT COUNTY will be reunited with a former manager and player when they head to West Sussex to take on Crawley in League Two this evening (kick-off 7.45pm), writes Carl Field.

In the opposing dugout will be Warren Feeney, who is now assistant to Harry Kewell, while lining up for the Red Devils will be midfielder Mark Randall, who was part of the Exiles side who completed a Great Escape to stay in the Football League at the end of last season.

Mike Flynn’s Newport, meanwhile, who beat Grimsby 1-0 at Rodney Parade on Saturday, go into the game eighth in the table and just one point outside the play-off places.

Tonight’s opponents Crawley are currently 17th with three wins and 10 points from their opening nine games.

Flynn is looking forward to reuniting Irishman Feeney but says there is no room for sentiment.

“I wish everybody luck who tried to help out the football club,” he said.

“But as much as I say that, I ultimately want to go and get three points against him and it’s always a tough test there.

“Harry Kewell and Warren Feeney are starting to get their team together at the club and Tuesday night away in League Two means it’s going to be a tough game.”

The Newport boss also paid tribute to 27-year-old Randall who faces his former side tonight having left South Wales in the summer.

“We’ve had a couple of texts from Mark since his departure,” continued Flynn.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Mark Randall, he’s a good footballer and it’s as simple as he wanted to go back closer to home.

“That’s that, it’s part of football, I got the best out of him at the end of last season and helped him on his way.

“Every player was a big part of what happened last season and it was best for both parties that he got a fresh challenge this season.

“As long as they give 100 per cent whilst at the football club then I’ll never be awkward and stand in somebody’s way.

“I don’t have a bad word to say about Mark Randall and I wish him luck, just not tonight.”