NEWPORT County AFC head into yet another potential giant-killing cup tie tomorrow evening and are fast becoming synonymous with cup upsets.

The success of the Exiles in the cup is all down to "very good management" according to boss Michael Flynn, said with a wry smile at the pre-match press conference.

“We’ve raised our game at the right time,” he said.

“Even against Man City, you look at it with 88 minutes gone we’re at 2-1.

"There are not many teams in the land who are that close to them. Ok we lost 4-1, but that’s just the extra quality they had."

After seeing off Watford in the last round, County now face Premier League opposition in the form of Steve Bruce's Newcastle United, a game viewed by Flynn as a "very very tough challenge".

"Let’s not dress it up," he said.

"You see what they’ve done to Morecambe last week (7-0), who are in our league.

"They’re taking the competition seriously."

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The Newport manager said he was glad the fixture was being played on home turf, even without the Amber Army in attendance.

"It gives us that little bit of advantage in terms of being used to our surroundings," he said.

"They’re (Newcastle) Premier League footballers, they’re international players. They won’t care about that."

He added that County's opponents would also be fully motivated ahead of tonight's clash, with potential winners medals in mind.

"I think Newcastle themselves have got a better squad this season," he said.

"They’ll be looking at is as a chance to get to a final or win some silverware.

"You want to get a result against what you perceive to be their first team.

"Yes, it makes it harder, but it is definitely doable because we’ve done it in the past when we beat Leicester."

However, any result that Newport do manage to secure will have to be fought for without the Amber Army creating a hostile atmosphere from the stands.

"It’s not just the lost revenue, which we wouldn’t get from gate receipts," he said.

"Everybody knows it can be a fairly intimidating place at Rodney Parade when it’s full.

"It creates an amazing atmosphere because you’re close to it.

"It is a shame that they’re not there, but hopefully we can do them proud."

The lack of fans is just one negative aspect of the current situation with coronavirus and the local lockdown in the city.

However, Flynn remains optimistic.

"It’s the world we’re living in at the moment, everything is negative," he said.

"Some people prefer to be negative rather than positive, which I will never understand as long as I live.

"We’ve got a game of football against a Premier League club tomorrow night.

"Why wouldn’t we enjoy it? You never know, we could cause a big upset."