NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has dismissed the idea that his side have a psychological advantage over Mansfield Town today.

Edinburgh’s Exiles beat eventual champions Mansfield home and away in the Conference last season as both sides gained promotion to League Two.

But he believes that those games have no significance as he prepares his players for a battle against the Stags.

“I think it’s irrelevant. They won the league so it won’t concern them us beating them twice,” he said.

“It will be two good teams on the same points and it will be a tough game.

“We’ve enjoyed our two home games this season and after three games on the road it is nice to be back at Rodney Parade but we’ll have to be at our best against Mansfield.

“It will be a tough encounter. They were worthy champions last season and they’ve made a very good start like ourselves.

“They will be coming full of confidence and we are expecting a tough battle. Obviously we’ve got to match them in that aspect and hopefully with the crowd behind us we can continue the good form we’ve shown at home.”

The Exiles are still looking for their first away win in the Football League but Edinburgh is keen to build on a 100 per cent start at home after wins over Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers.

“We’ve got to try and make Rodney Parade a fortress,” said Edinburgh. “We’ve got to make it very difficult for teams to come and play and if they take anything away they will have to earn it.

“Our home form since we’ve been at Rodney Parade has been excellent but we know that we have to show the same levels of effort and commitment every game to keep that going.”

Edinburgh must do without Andy Sandell (foot), Byron Anthony (broken leg), Max Porter (groin) and Aaron O’Connor (groin) for today’s clash but defenders Ismail Yakubu and Tony James are fit.

In midfield Mike Flynn is also ready to start and new signing Ryan Burge could make his debut.

Captain David Pipe has backed Ryan Jackson to cover for Sandell.

“It is bad news to lose Andy Sandell,” said the skipper. “He is very solid – an eight out of ten every week – so we’re going to miss someone of his quality but we’ve got a decent squad.

“Jacko stepped in at Scunthorpe and did very well at left-back so I think he can fill in until Andy is back.”