Accrington Stanley v Newport County, The Crown Ground, kick-off 7.45pm

BOSS Jimmy Dack believes County can go far in the League Two play-offs, just so long as they get there, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Exiles have an opportunity to put considerable pressure on their rivals this week by travelling to Accrington on Friday night, allowing Newport the chance to make their mark with three points ahead of the Saturday fixtures.

Dack feels that presents County an advantage and is hopeful his team will take it.

“We’d have taken this position at the start of the season, of course,” he said.

“But there is no point putting all the hard work in and then letting it go, we need to keep working until the end and give it our best shot.

“We’ve always had our back against the wall, but we will keep working hard.

“We are picking up wins and are three games unbeaten, albeit with two draws.

“It’s nice going into the run-in with form, we did it the year we got promoted and it is looking like it can go the same way.

“We’ve re-grouped, we know what it takes to get in the play-offs and if we maintain our position then we are very good against the top teams.

“I’ve always said that. If we can stay in there and make it, I think we’ll have a good chance.

“Friday is a great time to play. If we win, it adds pressure to the sides around us on Saturday.

“But we have to turn up and produce a performance.”

Dack believes Accrington could pose a stern test.

“It doesn’t matter what the league table says, every game is really tough and games are won or lost by a bit of paint on the post,” he said. “It is millimetres.

“You just look at Hartlepool now, they are on a charge and everyone had written them off.

“We played Accrington at the start of the season and they looked a really good team. They looked after the ball well, had a good energy about them, a good shape.

“So there is no easy game in this league.”

Dack admits that contract talks have begun with some of the younger players at the club.

“We will definitely look to keep some on, we’ve discussed it with Michael Flynn and two or three we will offer pro-terms to.

“With the financial situation it is a route to go down, but it’s nice to have local players. And they deserve it. They’ll be offered deals on merit.”

Meanwhile, former Newport County midfielder Ryan Burge, a free agent, is training with his hometown club Cheltenham Town.