International break a real boost for Newport County, says boss

County were without a game last weekend as their trip to Cheltenham Town was postponed due to international call-ups for Danny McNamara, Lewis Collins and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

And Flynn, who took the decision to apply for the postponement, says the physical and mental rest has done his players good.

“It was done for the right reasons and it’s refreshed the boys,” said the Exiles boss.

“They’ve trained superbly this week with a really high intensity.

“And I’m very pleased because sometimes when you have a couple of days off you can come back a little bit sloppy, but they didn’t.

“They’ve been outstanding all week, so it’s a good thing.

“We’re playing 46 league games, the Trophy, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup and everybody is clamouring for a rest for their players.

“So I’ve taken an opportunity to rest and recharge my players for the right reasons and it also allows one or two to get closer to full fitness.”

Joss Labadie, who missed the victory over Carlisle United on October 5 due to an ankle problem, could return.

County are now fifth in the table, three points behind leaders Crewe Alexandra with a game in hand.

“I think we’re in a really good position,” said Flynn. “We’ve started well and looked solid. I’d like a few more goals, but I don’t care as long as we’re getting the points on the board.

“From the minute we lost at Wembley [in the play-off final in May] we knew we couldn’t go under the radar this season.

“Teams will want to beat us and see what kind of level they’re at and it’s tough. Nobody takes Newport for granted anymore and that’s good because it shows that we’ve progressed.

“We’ve had a good start, we’ve just got to keep it going,” he added.

“There’s about 27 per cent of the season gone and if we’re still in the same position with 75 per cent of the season gone then I’ll be happy. I’ll be even happier if it was 100 per cent gone.”

Scunthorpe start the day in 22nd but they are on a three-game unbeaten run and come to Newport off the back of a 3-0 home win over Northampton Town last weekend.

“I’ve watched Scunthorpe quite a few times now and they’re a good team,” said Flynn.

“They came down from League One last season and I know a few of their players. I played with a few of them so they’ve got good experience and they had a good result against a strong Northampton team last week.

“It’s going to be a tough game and we’ve got to be at our best. I say that week in and week out, but it’s the fact of the matter.

“They’ve got players who’ve played in the Championship and they’ve got an experienced manager in Paul Hurst.

“They are going to be tough to beat and they’re quite a big team as well so we’re going to have our work cut out.

“They have taken a little bit of time to get to grips with the division but now they’re turning the corner,” he added.

“Hopefully we’ll just put another blip in what they’re trying to do this weekend.”

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