Exiles up for FA Cup after landing tie with Leeds

NEWPORT County will welcome Championship giants Leeds United to south Wales in the New Year after landing a plum tie in the FA Cup third round draw.

Swansea City, meanwhile, face a tricky trip to Championship leaders Wolves while Cardiff City host League Two Mansfield Town in the Welsh capital.

It is only the second time in 32 years the Exiles have been in the third round hat, after they cruised past Cambridge United 2-0 in the second round on Sunday. And Michael Flynn’s side have been rewarded with an exciting tie against second tier Leeds – against whom they were beaten 5-1 in the Carabao Cup first round in August.

The tie will no doubt mean a sold-out Rodney Parade for the first time since they dramatically sealed Football League survival back in May.

Leeds are pushing for a playoff place under current boss Thomas Christiansen and will prove a stern test for Flynn’s men – who are challenging for the League Two play-offs themselves.

The draw also threw up mouth-watering derbies between Liverpool and Everton, Middlesbrough and Sunderland plus Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Non-league Hereford will face 2015/16 Premier League champions Leicester City if they can overcome Fleetwood Town in a second round replay, while reigning champions Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest.

Other eye-catching ties included Manchester United hosting Derby County at Old Trafford, Spurs facing AFC Wimbledon at Wembley and Premier League leaders Manchester City meeting high-flying Burnley.

But for struggling Swansea, the competition might feel like a burden as opposed to an opportunity for some welcome light relief after being pitted against a rampant Wolves side who are leading Cardiff at the summit of the Championship.

All ties will be played on the weekend of Saturday January 6, with broadcasters yet to reveal which games will be screened live on television.