FORMER Newport County caretaker manager and long-time assistant boss Jimmy Dack believes the Exiles can and will avoid relegation this season.

The popular former number two to Justin Edinburgh returned to Rodney Parade on Tuesday evening as assistant boss to manager Mark Yates at Crawley, witnessing his side dismantle the Exiles in a comprehensive 3-0 triumph.

Dack was afforded a heroes’ welcome by the amber army on his first visit back over the Severn Bridge, though he certainly left with an even bigger smile after his side were utterly dominant.

And on an emotional evening, Dack expressed hope that County can battle out of the tough predicament they find themselves in.

“Hopefully County will be ok, I think they will and think they will, it’s a new team, pretty much like ours at Crawley,” he said.

“Hopefully Terry gets it right, he’s an experienced manager and he’ll get this place right.

“The fans need to stay behind him though, supporting this club like they always do.”

However, Dack did warn that both Crawley and Newport will have to deal with the issues of fielding several teenagers in what Dack believes is the ultimate “man’s league.”

“It’s really hard, when you’ve got a squad packed full of boys, because League Two is a man’s league, it really is, it is a league where physically you get away with nothing.

“It was lovely seeing Kieran Parselle, Tom Owen-Evans, Aaron Collins, guys who Flynny brought through the system and I hope they go on to have good seasons.

“But in terms of battling away, it does make it tougher when you have to rely on kids.

Dack admitted emotions ran high for him on his reunion with the Exiles.

“It was lovely to be back, Newport have a very special place in my heart, I really want to see them be alright,” he said.

“The fans that travelled from Crawley haven’t had a lot to cheer about either.

“Newport fans were amazing to me, I saw loads of familiar faces, it was just great to come back and see them.

“I didn’t want it to be about me tonight, it was about the two teams, but we are both going to have tough seasons really.”