NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn wants his players to stake a claim for a starting spot in the League Two opener at Mansfield Town by impressing in tomorrow’s final friendly.

After victory over Hereford, draws with Bristol City, Undy and Penybont and narrow defeats to Swansea City and Chippenham Town, County complete their pre-season programme against a Stoke City XI at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm).

And Flynn says there is still everything to play for as he ponders his selection for the first competitive match of the new campaign – a tricky looking trip to Field Mill on August 4.

“There are still plenty of places up for grabs,” said the Exiles boss.

“I haven’t picked my team yet – I’d be stupid if I had. There’s no dead certs at the moment – apart from [goalkeeper] Joe Day.

“The Stoke game is a chance to impress and next week’s training will be really important too.

“I’m hoping to arrange another behind-closed-doors game as well but I probably won’t make my decision on the team for Mansfield until after training next Friday.”

The Stoke first team squad has travelled to Germany for a friendly against St Pauli so the team at Rodney Parade is likely to be made up mainly of under-23 players.

“I don’t know what to expect from Stoke,” admitted Flynn.

“They’ve obviously got some talented youngsters and if they bring one or two pros who haven’t travelled with the first team then it will be interesting.

“The main thing will be to get 90 minutes into a lot of the players and get everyone used to the pitch at Rodney Parade because a lot of them won’t have played there before.”

It will be a first chance for County fans to see new signings Fraser Franks, Tyler Forbes, Andrew Crofts, Charlie Cooper, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Jamille Matt and Antoine Semenyo in a home match.

Flynn also hopes to be able to announce another new addition today and he too could feature against the Potters.

The manager is still on the hunt for another goalkeeper and a striker as he prepares his squad for a demanding first month of the season.

After the opener at Mansfield, the Exiles host Crewe Alexandra before travelling to Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup, then to Notts County in League Two.

County then host Grimsby Town before a potential Carabao Cup second-round tie in midweek and a trip to Port Vale on September 1.

“Mansfield is a really tough place to start and we’ve got a difficult first month with Notts County and Exeter City as well,” said Flynn.

“That’s three of favourites for promotion before the end of August and Crewe as well, who usually start well.

“But we had a tough start last season on the road and we came through that and you’ve got to play everybody at some point in the season.”