JAMES Rowberry is set to resist the temptation to ring the changes for Newport County AFC’s FA Cup trip to Morecambe in a bid to build on a promising start at Rodney Parade.

The new manager takes his team to Lancashire on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm) in the first round of the famous competition, keen to add to the Exiles’ cup exploits under Michael Flynn.

County are on a six-game unbeaten run in League Two thanks to a win and three draws under caretaker boss Wayne Hatswell and successes against Bristol Rovers and Stevenage since Rowberry took the reins.

They won 3-1 at the Memorial Stadium and thrashed Boro 5-0 at Rodney Parade, the club’s biggest win since returning to the Football League in 2013.

Rowberry is keen to keep the momentum against a Morecambe side that beat County in a controversial League Two play-off final in May.

“I want to continue what we are doing and the FA Cup is important for the club. We are going there to win the game, of course,” said Rowberry.

Last season the Exiles made it to the third round when they suffered penalty shootout anguish at the hands of Premier League Brighton at Rodney Parade.

That clash was live on BT Sport to boost the coffers and was another encounter against a big gun in the era of Flynn.

County were setting the pace in the first half of last season and the former boss, mindful of a hectic schedule due to a late start in the coronavirus-affected campaign, tinkered with his line-up for the cup meetings with League Two rivals Leyton Orient and Salford City.

The need to protect key figures isn’t as important for Rowberry due to the lack of a midweek fixture before the game against the Shrimps.

Those that have been on the fringes are likely to get their chance in next Tuesday’s EFL Trophy fixture against Swindon Town.

South Wales Argus: PATIENT: Lewis Collins has been an unused sub for the last two gamesPATIENT: Lewis Collins has been an unused sub for the last two games

“Everybody needs to know that they will have an opportunity at some point because football’s a game where you can get injuries,” said Rowberry.

“We play Morecambe, then Swindon, then an away game at Hartlepool on a Friday. We need to make sure everybody is as fit as possible to be able to be available.”

Of the first team squad that are available for selection, Jermaine Hylton and Jordan Greenidge are yet to feature in a matchday squad under Rowberry.

Left-back Ryan Haynes missed the Rovers game through suspension and was an unused substitute against Stevenage.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend, midfielder Chris Missilou, forward Lewis Collins have also been on the bench without getting on.

County are likely to field a similar side at Swindon as they did in the 4-3 defeat to Arsenal U21s in the EFL Trophy, although Aaron Lewis and Jake Cain started against the Gunners and have been in both Rowberry’s XIs.

The Exiles will know what they need to do to progress by the time they kick off in Wiltshire as Plymouth host Arsenal this evening.