Wayne Hatswell: I've not considered Newport County top job

The assistant coach thought he would have one last game next to Michael Flynn in the dugout at Rodney Parade.

The initial plan was for the manager to have a last hurrah against the Iron in League Two.

Flynn was pencilled in for Friday's press conference and the matchday programme features his usual column, but things changed yesterday morning.

It was confirmed by early afternoon that he was leaving with immediate effect and it is Hatswell who will once again be in charge, just as he was when Flynn had coronavirus in August.

The 46-year-old is interim manager while the club plot their next step and says he hasn't considered if he wants the role for the coming weeks or months.

Wayne Hatswell is interim boss for County

"I haven't really thought that far ahead," said Hatswell. "A week in football is a long time, and I've been in the game for nearly 25 years and in Newport for a long time on two separate occasions.

"You always think that you are five games from the sack, so I don't look too far ahead. Whether I am in charge or not, that will be my mindset.

"I try not to look too far ahead, anything can happen and I am just concentrating on Scunthorpe. It's a cliche but I just genuinely want to get through Saturday with a win and then look forward to Bradford.

"I will be in charge unless I am told I am not wanted. I have a contract until the end of the season and unless I am told otherwise I will do my best for the club, like I always have.

"That will not change. It's been my mindset whenever I have been here whether as a player, first-team coach, assistant manager, interim manager."

Wayne Hatswell was in charge for County's win at Tranmere

Hatswell says that it has been business as usual for County this week, albeit with a slightly different schedule after playing last Friday night.

They trained hard at the start of the week, had Thursday off and went through their usual tactical preparations yesterday.

"There is never a dull moment but you've got to be adaptable. I've been put in interim charge and that's what I am paid to do," said Hatswell.

"The players have been fine, they are resolute and get on with it. They are paid to do a job, the same as me.

"We want to stick together and show how good we can be. They look fresh and we've got a few players back to make us a bit stronger and there is competition for places.

"If we can put in a performance like against Walsall then everything will be okay. We need to win and the players have to put a shift in for the club and the fans."

County face a Scunthorpe side who narrowly avoided relegation last year and who are one from bottom with three losses and a draw from their last four games.

"They have had a couple of indifferent results but they will present a big physical challenge and we have to be wary of that at set pieces," said Hatswell.

"If we can move the ball as well as we did against Walsall and dominate midfield, whether they are 4-4-2 or stick with 3-5-2, then we can get overloads.

"We will try to start on the front foot and hopefully the crowd will get behind the lads and make it really difficult for Scunthorpe."