Politicians and others have sent their best wishes for Newport County's FA Cup clash with Manchester City. Here are their messages.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden:

I want to wish Newport County all the best ahead of the big game against Man City.

It’s fitting that this amazing cup run comes in 2019 – 30 years on from the club’s reformation – and it’s another opportunity to reflect on how far County have come from the days of exile and non-league football.

It should be a great atmosphere at Rodney Parade for the visit of the current Premier League champions, and whatever the outcome on Saturday, Michael Flynn and his players have done the fans and our city proud.

Newport East AM John Griffiths:

Newport County’s wonderful run in FA Cup football is testament to the efforts of the manager, fellow Pill boy Mike Flynn, the back room staff, the board, the chairman, all the players and the fans who have supported the Exiles through the trials and tribulations of life in the Football League.

I’d like to wish everyone at Newport County all the very best for our plum draw against Manchester City this Saturday.

Whatever the outcome when Pep Guardiola and his team arrive at Rodney Parade, County have made our city proud. Up the Port!

Newport West MP Paul Flynn:

It's not easy to convey the joy that Newport is enjoying currently.

So much credit goes to the Herculean exploits of Michael Flynn, his players and the Amber Army faithful as the County miracle triumphs on.

Only a few years ago they were firmly bottom the league nine points adrift, escaping relegation with a goal in the last minute of the last game of the season.

May the dream never end.

Good luck, County!

Newport West AM Jayne Bryant:

The magic of the Cup is very much alive in Newport and the players and club have already done so much for our city.

Anticipation is building and it’s been brilliant to see the FA Cup touring Newport schools this week.

I know the Amber Army will make Rodney Parade a cauldron of noise on Saturday and the excitement will be felt far beyond the stadium.

From Spurs to Leicester to Man City, County have caught the imagination of a nation and inspired a whole new generation of fans.

We all hope County give Pep Aguero and co a big upset but whatever the result, it’s going to be another fantastic day for Newport County AFC.

Newport City Council leader Cllr Debbie Wilcox:

I am delighted to be able to attend this exciting match on Saturday as I couldn’t attend the Middlesbrough match as I was working elsewhere.

I expect the atmosphere will be electric and I would like to wish Mike Flynn and his players all the luck in the world for their match against Manchester City for this sell out fixture.

Good luck to everyone at the club, we know you will do us proud.

Mayor of Newport Cllr Malcolm Linton:

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the game with the Mayoress and Newport County chairman Gavin Foxall when County took on Middlesbrough and I am really excited about this forthcoming match with Premier League giants Manchester City.

I’ve supported County my whole life and I know everyone at the club, along with football fans across the city, are looking forward to Saturday with great anticipation.

County did us proud and totally outplayed Middlesbrough with two outstanding goals. We are so looking forward to the fifth round game at Rodney Parade.

Come on County!

Leader of Newport's Conservative group Cllr Matthew Evans:

It’s definitely not just the talk of the town but of the whole country.

Every club dreams about getting a draw with one of the big names but who would have believed they would be playing Man City in the fifth round of the FA Cup, it is an incredible opportunity.

Whatever the outcome the team and indeed supporters have put Newport on the map for the right reasons and we should all be proud of them. Good luck #UTC!

South Wales East AM Mohammad Asghar:

I am delighted and proud to send my best wishes to Newport County ahead of their fifth round FA Cup match against Manchester City.

This is the biggest match in recent club history and County totally deserve their place having seen off Leicester City and Middlesbrough in previous rounds.

Manchester City will not be relishing their visit to Rodney Parade so the pressure will very much be on them.

Whatever the result on Saturday you have made the city proud, so go out there, enjoy yourselves and play the game of your lives.

South Wales East AM Mark Reckless:

With Leicester City and Middlesbrough already dispatched, Newport County will come up against even sterner competition with Manchester City today.

We all hope they will rise to the challenge, put in another stellar performance and see off a second Premier League winning team in the FA Cup.

As Newport prepares a welcome beyond Rodney Parade as hosts to Manchester City for their fifth round FA Cup fixture, travelling fans will see Newport for our strong communities and recognise Newport as a fantastically accessible place to do business now the Severn Bridge tolls have ended.

Newport will welcome more and more visitors, with the new convention centre at Celtic Manor, as well as many new residents moving here from Bristol and beyond.

I hope that they too will come to support Newport County as the team progresses through the FA Cup, and looks to maintain that form in the league.

First minister Mark Drakeford:

What an FA Cup run this is for Newport County!

With Manchester City next it’s a real fairy tale clash against one of the world’s best teams.

We’ve seen the Exiles overcome seemingly-insurmountable odds before and with a packed-to-the-rafters Rodney Parade roaring the team on, there’s every reason to hope for yet another memorable night.

Pob lwc Casnewydd.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies:

While politicians on both sides of the M4 wrangle about health, education, housing, and economic policies – and, of course, Brexit – sport has the ability to unite people of different views behind one team, and everybody behind the beautiful game.

That’s why I was very heartened to see that Newport fans had queued through the night to get their tickets for the Man City game: it just goes to show how passionate they are.

County may not be heading into this match as favourites, but the British love an underdog, and I, for one, won’t just will be willing them on to beat Guardiola’s men at Rodney Parade – but thrash them.