Newport County director Gavin Foxall believes a ‘heavy’ pitch and the backing of the home fans at Rodney Parade will give the League Two side an edge over Blackburn in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie.
The Exiles are back at this stage of the competition for the first time since they were reformed in 1989 and will have around 4,000 supporters roaring them on against Rovers, who sit 50 places above them in the Football League ladder.
The pitch is currently used by Newport and two rugby clubs, while last weekend’s League Two clash against Hartlepool United was postponed because of the heavy rainfall.
The ground staff are working hard to ensure the game will get the go-ahead, but even if it is deemed playable, Foxall expects it to suit the Newport players over Paul Lambert’s men who are more used to playing on superior surfaces in the Championship.
Quoted in the Lancashire Telegraph, he said: “They won’t want to come here. The pitch will be heavy probably. We’re used to playing on it and they’re not.
“We’re going to be up for it at home with the fans behind us and it only takes a good bit of fortune and the way we’re playing as well to make it winnable and we’re confident that we can do that.”
Rovers are 1.75 to head to South Wales and win their first competitive clash against Newport, while the hosts are 4.75 to pull off a cup shock and the draw is 3.50.
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