BRISTOL Rovers boss Joey Barton believes it will be a familiar Newport County AFC at the Memorial Stadium even though there is a new manager calling the shots.

Barton will shake hands with James Rowberry on the touchline before the League Two clash in the west country.

The Exiles appointed their new boss on Tuesday evening and he got to work with his new squad the following morning.

Rowberry has pledged to slowly introduce his ways and Barton believes it is a case of ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’.

“I think they’re a really settled group and Michael Flynn did a really good job,” said the former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR midfielder.

“I’ve watched them the past couple of days and they’re a really good footballing side, they try to do things the right way and have their own identity of how they want to play.

“They’ve got really good legs and energy on the front side of the team and the back seven build up play and keep it quite solid.

South Wales Argus: LIVELY: County midfielder Ollie CooperLIVELY: County midfielder Ollie Cooper

“The front three, Cooper, Telford and whoever he decides to go with in there, have real legs and energy and will constantly test you.

“I think it’s a really tough game for us, obviously with the cross-border rivalry that’s at stake. I think they’ve sold 1,000 tickets and I imagine we’ll have a decent crowd in again.

“We need our 12th man because Newport will have that with their travelling contingent.

“I don’t think we’ve earned the right for teams to fear coming to the Mem, especially when there is that bit of nervousness in our crowd.”

Rovers are without suspended duo Cian Harries and Trevor Clarke after red cards in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Colchester.

County are set to go up against former Exile Aaron Collins, who is yet to score since his summer move from Forest Green Rovers.

The 24-year-old scored in last season's dramatic play-off semi-final second leg at the New Lawn.