Flynn sets sights on a windfall for County
IT is more than just a possible trip to Wembley on the line for Newport County when they host Leicester City U21 in the leasing. com Trophy quarter-final at Rodney Parade tonight.
As with all cup tournaments, cash is as big an incentive to do well and a win over the young Foxes could push their return from the competition up to £70,000 with a TV fee to come from what would be a home semi-final against Salford City.
Newport boss Michael Flynn has worked his magic in the FA Cup in recent seasons, but with that cash cow gone for this season his attentions will turn to the EFL tournament.
No wonder he says he is going to pick his best team, even if the game comes after a long away day at Plymouth last weekend.
“We’re two games from Wembley and we are going to go strong. There’s money at stake for the football club and we will be going for it,” said Flynn.
“Within reason, it will be our strongest side.
“I’ll dust them down and see who’s right and go from there.
“I’ve got almost a fully fit squad and so they are going to have to earn the right to get into the team.
“I haven’t got time to wait for people to get up to speed and that’s how it will be until the end of the season.”
Flynn lost both Ryan Haynes and Ashley Baker to injuries during the 1-0 defeat at Home Park to third placed Plymouth and will have to see how quickly they recover before deciding if they can play tonight.
Haynes went off after only five minutes and Flynn said after the game “it’s too early to tell with Ryan.”
Baker picked up a dead leg and is reckoned to be touch and go.
“I don’t know if Ash will be back, but Dan Leadbitter is fit now. It might be a way of giving him a game and getting some minutes under his belt,” added Flynn.
The game was due to be played last week, but was called off because of a freezing pitch. Leicester are the last remaining U21 side in the competition and assistant coach Ben Petty is hoping to build on their 2-2 draw at Chelsea in Premier League 2 Division 1 last Friday.
They have already won at Tranmere (2-1), Doncaster (3-0), Sunderland (2-1) and Grimsby (2-1).
They beat Scunthorpe on penalties after drawing 1-1 in their opening game.