MANAGER Jimmy Dack has called on the Newport County AFC supporters to be the 12th man as their side look to secure a League Two play-off place.

County have just five fixtures remaining as they aim to maintain their top-seven position in the table, starting with Saturday’s home clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Bury.

And Dack says it’s vital that the Amber Army keep up their ‘fantastic’ support and roar the players on to a potential place in League One next season.

“Home and away the supporters are fantastic and all they want is for their team to give their all,” said the Exiles boss.

“When they feel that people are not pulling their weight and giving their best they let them know but I’ve seen us be clapped off after losing.

“They just want you to give your best. You’re not always going to win every game and you’re not always going to play well but as long as you give your best you’ve always got a chance.

“This crowd know that. This is my fourth season here and they’ve given us nothing but support and I thank them for that.

“They’ve always got a big role to play,” he added. “Teams don’t want to come to Rodney Parade and we’ve got to keep it that way.

“We’ve got to make it a fortress and the supporters are the 12th man.

“I don’t say that lightly. When they get behind the team it really does make a big difference for the players and myself.”

After the Good Friday draw at home to Hartlepool United and Easter Monday defeat at Exeter City, Dack admits that training this week will not be too strenuous.

“We’re just conditioning them now,” he told Exiles Player.

“We need to make sure we protect them a little bit and look after their bodies.

“But we can’t let them become lethargic so we’ve got to put enough work into their legs so they’re just ticking over nicely.

“Rest is a good thing; it’s as good as a training session but some need more than others.

“Some are older than others as well so you’ve got to address that but the main thing is that going into the games they’re all prepared to give it their best.”