NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn believes Stevenage boss Dino Maamria deserves a warm welcome on his return to Rodney Parade tomorrow.

Maamria, who took over the reins at Stevenage last month, is back in Newport for the first time since he was sacked as County assistant manager.

The 46-year-old was number two to boss Graham Westley before the pair were dismissed following a 4-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient in March 2017.

That result left the Exiles 11 points from safety at the bottom of League Two and it took a miraculous turnaround in form under Flynn to seal the club’s Great Escape from relegation.

Flynn, who was brought back to the club as a player-coach by Westley and Maamria, admits that the Tunisian did rub some players up the wrong way.

But he has nothing but praise for his opposite number this weekend.

“It will be good to see Dino,” said Flynn. “He worked tirelessly for this football club and we got on really well.

“Some of the players might be interested to see him and try to score a few points over him but on my part he’ll be welcomed with open arms.

“When I see somebody put in the work that he did at Newport County, for a club I love, that’s good enough for me.

“I owe Graham and Dino a big thank you for bringing me back and showing their confidence in me.

“I’ll be glad to see him before the game and after the game and I’ve told him I’m going to turn off all the electric and put the showers on cold – see how he likes it!

“Then I’ll invite him up for a cup of tea afterwards – a cold one!”

South Wales Argus:

Asked if Maamria deserves an ovation from the home fans tomorrow, Flynn said: “Yeah, definitely. I know it wasn’t great times results-wise while he was here but somebody who put in the amount of work that he did and cared about the football club like he did definitely deserves that.

“Dino had his moments with me and the players but that’s his winning streak, that’s his drive and that’s the reason why he’s been given an opportunity at Stevenage, one I think he’ll grab with both hands.”

Maamria was the driving force behind the Exiles’ innovative free-kick routines last season and Flynn is well prepared for any familiar set-pieces today.

“They were in a big book and I’ve got it,” he said. “I’ve got every single one of them so unless he can remember every single one and change them up [we’ll be OK].

“We won’t use them against him because he’ll know them all.”