CARETAKER boss Michael Flynn has vowed to do everything in his powers to save Newport County AFC from relegation – and he would be “over the moon” to get the top job on a permanent basis.

Flynn has taken the reins at Rodney Parade until the end of the campaign following Graham Westley’s sacking on Wednesday night after just five months in the hotseat.

Exiles legend Flynn will take charge of the team for the first time on Saturday when they travel to Crewe Alexandra (kick-off 3pm) in League Two.

County sit rock bottom of the table, 11 points from safety with 12 matches of the season remaining, but Flynn, 36, is determined to give his hometown club every chance of staying up.

“I probably had my greatest football moment with this club at Wembley (when County beat Wrexham to gain promotion to the Football League),” he said.

“I don’t want to have my worst moment with the club at the end of the season, so I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“I’m a realist, it’s a tall order, but I’m also very positive. There are 12 games to play and 36 points available, and if we keep closing the gap we’ll be within striking distance, and that’s where I want to be.

“I’ll make sure that the side going out there knows what it means to be playing in the shirt.

“The players have had some tough times this season but I need them to buy into what I want to do.

“I’m going to need the fans right behind me, which they have been all season, and every season.

“They know how important they are and the players need to play with a smile on their face and with 100% commitment.”

On Thursday, Flynn brought in former County defender Wayne Hatswell to assist him, and he will make another addition to his backroom staff next week.

He is also set to bring Ben Tozer back in from the cold after Westley told the midfielder, Jack Compton and Mark Randall they wouldn’t be in his plans for the remainder of the campaign.

As for the possibility of Flynn being Newport’s next permanent manager, he added: “If you offered me the job in the summer I’d be over the moon, but I’m not looking to that at the moment.”

"I believe in myself, I know what I’m good at and I know where I need to improve.

“In fairness, I’m just concentrating until the end of the season.”

He continued: “I’ve played at a lot higher level but never had that feeling I do when I pull on a Newport shirt.

“I’ve given everything for every club I’ve played for but it’s more special with Newport.”