NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn insists bogey team Stevenage will provide his side with another tough test on Saturday, despite their 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

Boro boss Dino Maamria, who worked with Flynn on the coaching staff at County under Graham Westley, made nine changes for the Checkatrade Trophy tie against League One Charlton.

And Flynn says that result will have no bearing on Saturday’s League Two clash at Rodney Parade.

“It’s going to be a tough one because they’ll be up for it, they’re doing well, and I know Dino’s teams will be strong,” said the Exiles boss.

“He made nine changes [on Tuesday] looking forward to the Newport game and I’ll take it as a compliment if he thinks he needed to rest that many for Saturday. It just says that it’s going to be a tough game.

“It’s never nice losing by that amount at home but Dino is switched on enough to know that the league is their bread and butter and they’ll be coming here for three points at the weekend.”

Maamria (above left with Westley) was nominated alongside eventual winner Flynn for the September manager of the month award having guided Stevenage into the play-off positions.

His side are two places and three points behind County ahead of this weekend and Flynn is not surprised at the success the Tunisian is enjoying at Broadhall Way.

“He’s very hard working and very thorough in how he does things and he’s got that determination that he wants to do well,” added Flynn.

“They are his qualities and we’ve just got to make sure that our qualities on the pitch are better than his [team’s] on Saturday.”

County have only beaten Stevenage once since returning to the Football League in 2013, drawing two and losing five – including a 1-0 loss to Maamria’s men at Rodney Parade in April.

“There are going to be teams you struggle against, but I don’t think that’ll be the case on Saturday,” said Flynn. “Watching the boys in training and seeing how focused they are, I know that we’ll be up for it.”

Speaking to the Stevenage Comet, Maamria was adamant that Tuesday’s result will not affect his side’s momentum.

“They are young players and they’re learning,” he said of the inexperienced team he picked against the Addicks.

“They will improve from this, I’m certain of it. It wasn’t a lack of character. It’s a learning curve. We’ll analyse the game and move on.

“From now on all I’m thinking about is Newport. I feel bad because we lost the game, but we’ll move on.

“I took Danny Newton off at half-time because I want him for Saturday against Newport. What is important is Saturday. That’s our bread and butter and that’s our focus. This defeat will not affect our momentum.”