NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley has challenged his players to force their way out of the League Two relegation zone with victory over Doncaster Rovers tomorrow night.

Basement boys County take on the league leaders at Rodney Parade knowing that three points will move them out of the bottom two, at least until their relegation rivals play on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers have only lost one of their last 15 league matches but the Exiles are now four unbeaten themselves and Westley is confident that his side can upset the odds.

“We know that playing our way on our pitch has made it difficult for even the top sides in our league and we are definitely stronger now,” he said.

“Our side is not a bottom end of the table side. Our form shows that and I know it myself.

“I know what a winning League Two side looks like and I think we’re capable of being one.

“I think our side is capable of winning football matches now, whoever they’re playing and wherever they’re playing in League Two.

“We’ve got the ingredients that can come together to produce winning football.

“We’ve shown that, we are showing it and there is a grit and a resilience and a determination that when our football is not at its best we can still grind results out.

“And that’s what you need to be so when you’re not at your best you’re still earning points by virtue of your doggedness, your work ethic, your organisation – all the basics that we always talk about.

“We can win games, I’m sure that the lads are going into the game expecting to get a result – knowing it will be difficult but staring at the league table and thinking to themselves ‘we get out of the bottom two with this win, let’s go and make sure we make it happen’.”

South Wales Argus:

Westley (above) feels that playing before everyone else this weekend can work to County’s advantage.

“I think having the certainty that you can achieve a move is always good in the sense that it gives you a medal, a trophy to play for,” he added.

“It gives you something very real to achieve and I think it’s good when you’ve got something real to achieve, it focuses everybody’s mind.

“I always concentrate on what we’re doing but I think there’s moments in time where the prize of that psychological lift is worth adding to the equation.

“Friday night is one of those occasions. We get the chance to jump out of the bottom two and give everybody a lift around the place.

“The fans have sensed the progress, they like the unbeaten run, but there’s nothing like a jump in the league table just to give everyone that real boost.

“It’s there in front of us, it’s up to us to get on and do it and everyone here is really focused.”