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Newport manager Mike Flynn says that his League Two side are looking forward to hosting West Ham in the Carabao Cup - whilst admitting that they have nothing to lose.

Manuel Pellegrini's side go into the game as firm favourites despite West Ham's long and unillustrious tradition of losing Cup ties against lower league opposition.

And as a result, Flynn, who has managed his home town club since March 2017 believes that his team can play with a freedom rarely afforded them in the league.



"It's a nice distraction from the league and it's a free hit," the manager told newport-county.co.uk. "It's nice to be out there in the public eye, this game is massive for the football club, and it's good that we're on Sky Sports.

"We've got a fantastic opportunity to play against another Premier League team and we'll give it our best shot.

"West Ham are quality operators. We've got to make a game of it, we've got to go and give it our best shot. They will have possession, they will pin us back and I'm under no illusions about that.

"They're littered with top players and I want the boys to go out there and test themselves against top footballers. When we can get in their faces and close the space, that's what we'll do."

And whilst Flynn admitted that he had no idea which team Manuel Pellegrini will field for the second round clash, he revealed that his team will give it their best shot regardless.



"I think they'll mix it up a little bit but they've got bags of talent and we won't be focusing on just one individual," he continued. "We'll come unstuck if we take our eye off somebody else.

"It's going to be a really difficult game against a really good West Ham team. You don't know who they're going to play but you always look at the experienced ones, players like Mark Noble who's just come back.

"It's a fantastic atmosphere at Rodney Parade. The fans are loud, supportive and that's the key thing. It shows we're all in it together."

Newport and Flynn reached the second round of the competition courtesy of a 4-1 penalty shootout success at Gillingham in the first round, after the game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Should tonight's match also end in a stalemate after 90 minutes, penalties will be taken to determine which team will progress through to the third round.

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