VETERAN manager Tony Pulis has warned new Newport County AFC boss James Rowberry that his ‘head is on the chopping block’ after taking a top job, but has backed the diligent coach to succeed at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles appointed Rowberry as Michael Flynn’s replacement on Tuesday evening and he is leading preparations for his first game in charge at Bristol Rovers in League Two on Saturday.

Rowberry is a highly-regarded coach after learning his trade with County’s academy, the Football Association of Wales and Cardiff City.

READ MORE: Rowberry goes from mascot to manager

He worked his way up to first team coach at the Bluebirds but has opted to take the plunge and become the main man at his hometown club.

Rowberry is a distant relation of Pill’s Tony Pulis and the iconic former Stoke, West Brom and Middlesbrough man has offered some typically forthright pearls of wisdom.

"I have already spoken to Tony and he just told me 'your head is on the chopping block now'. It's great having people like him to talk to,” said Rowberry.

Pulis, who suffered defeat on his return to Newport in the 2019 FA Cup, believes the up-and-coming Rowberry can build on the work done by Flynn and his assistant Wayne Hatswell to turn County from relegation candidates to promotion contenders.

South Wales Argus: Tony Pulis with Michael Flynn in County's 2019 FA Cup win over MiddlesbroughTony Pulis with Michael Flynn in County's 2019 FA Cup win over Middlesbrough

"He's a very diligent boy,” said the 63-year-old to BBC Wales. “He's done a lot of work himself on the coaching side obviously with Osian Roberts (former technical director at the FAW), the set-up down in Wales, he's always been involved in that.

"He's now had the experience of working at first-team level with some very good managers at Cardiff City. He's been alongside them so he's lived and breathed it.

"It's different when you walk into it and you have to do it yourself, but as a person, as a character he's a very sound lad.

“He's a lovely boy, lovely family man and I think it's brilliant that Newport have appointed another lad from Newport.”

"Mike Flynn did a fabulous job there and it's big shoes to step into, but I'm sure James will cope," continued Pulis.

"I'm sure, fingers crossed, given the time he'll put his own identity on the football club and not just within the club, but also the way they play.

"Everything stops with him and the pressure is on you as an individual so it'll be different for him.

“But he's a very, very sound lad, a very, very good character and he's an intelligent boy, so I have no doubt that he'll carry on the good work that Michael has put in place at Newport."