NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn says Championship promotion contenders Leeds United will be “out of their comfort zone” in Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles boss is relishing the chance to lock horns with Leeds’ Danish manager Thomas Christiansen for a second time this season.

And Flynn is convinced that his side can improve on the 5-1 defeat they suffered in the Carabao Cup at Elland Road in August.

“For anybody who watched the game at Leeds, we created a lot of chances and could have scored more goals,” said the manager.

“We missed too many chances and conceded sloppy goals that evening.

“They are a quality side with good players and you would expect it to be a tough afternoon for us. But we are quietly confident; we have some very good players in our squad.”

The backing of a near sell-out 7,000 crowd at Rodney Parade could make the difference, according to the manager.

“Leeds will be out of their comfort zone, let’s make no bones about it,” he said.

“It is an earlier kick-off, overnight stay and they are coming to a stadium not as good as what they are used to.

“They are professional, will come with the right intentions, but it is going to be different. The wind will be swirling, rain as well; I just hope we get that killer blow when we get the chance.”

Flynn is full of respect for Leeds, especially after they agreed to share the gate receipts from their August clash at Elland Road, but that won’t stop him and his team going for the jugular on Sunday.

“It is a huge club in English football, maybe not so much if you’re a youngster, but definitely for my era, a massive football club,” he said.

“We are lucky and privileged to have them at Rodney Parade and we are looking forward to them coming here on Sunday. We’ve drawn them in two successive cups and now finally get them at Rodney Parade.

“They were excellent with us,” he added. “I can’t speak highly enough of them, the way they handled things, the gesture to the club – that doesn’t go unnoticed and it’s a massive compliment to what a club they are.

“We can’t thank them enough because it did help us with finances. It was a massive gesture and I hope they don’t take it too badly if we knock them out!”

South Wales Argus:

Christiansen says he will rest players but he’s well aware of how tough the tie could be for his side and desperate to avoid a famous FA Cup shock.

“It’s a long way to travel to play a difficult game against Newport,” said the Leeds boss.

“On their pitch it will be direct play and it will be a tough game “We faced them in the other cup and got a very good result but we saw that we had to give our best to take the win.

“In the first half we suffered and we want to try not to suffer so much.

“There will be some changes, of course,” he added.

“After the hard programme that we’ve had it’s a chance to give minutes to other players.

“But I am not concerned about that; I know they are going to make a good performance and they will be 100 per cent ready for this game.

“Nobody wants to go out in the cup, especially against a lower ranked team but this is the beauty that this cup has.

“If it’s famous for something it’s that these things can happen.

“We have to be prepared and aware and to put it into the minds of the players that it’s another serious game.

“And if we don’t want to have any surprise we have to take it like that.”