MANAGER Michael Flynn wants his players to bring the feel-good factor back to Rodney Parade tonight as Newport County AFC host Welsh rivals Wrexham in a massive winner-takes-all FA Cup showdown.

After a dour 0-0 draw at the Racecourse Ground on December 1, the stakes have increased dramatically ahead of the second-round replay this evening.

The winners will bank £54,000 from the FA’s prize fund and they will also be guaranteed a home clash with former Premier League champions Leicester City.

That tie will be televised live on BBC One on January 6, meaning tonight’s winners will also be guaranteed a £150,000 broadcast fee.

It’s a financial boost that would help Flynn strengthen his squad in January, but money is not the only motivating factor for County or Wrexham.

“It’s the biggest game of the season so far, because of what’s at stake,” said the Exiles boss.

“It’s huge for this football club, but it is for Wrexham as well so it’s no more of an extra incentive for us than it is for them.

“Apart from the finances it would bring a lot of publicity, it would bring younger fans over again like the Spurs game and it creates a feel-good factor around the place.

“I want to be looking forward to that game going into a new year. It’s something we want and we need.”

Flynn is confident that his side can finish the job tonight but he has been at pains to point out that he and his players will be taking nothing for granted against the National League promotion hopefuls.

“It’s a big incentive but if we’re concentrating on Leicester before beating Wrexham then we’re going to fall flat on our face, and it’s the same for them,” he said.

“There’s going to be no complacency. [Wrexham caretaker manager] Graham Barrow is experienced. He won’t let that creep in, and I definitely won’t.”

And the Exiles boss knows there needs to be an improvement from the first tie.

“We weren’t very good,” he admitted. “Wrexham were good and that wasn’t a surprise. They’re [near the] top of the Conference for a reason – because they’re a good team.

“We’ve got to be on our mettle and we’ve got to be better than we were up there.”

Andrew Crofts and Mark O’Brien are both doubtful for tonight’s match after being forced off with hamstring problems at Swindon Town on Saturday but Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott are both fit to return.

“There could be changes,” said Flynn. “There’s one or two a little bit sore – Andrew and Mark, who had to come off at the weekend. We’ll make a late decision on them but there’s a couple more available as well.

“Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott are back. I thought Joss [Labadie] and Benno [Scot Bennett] did very well when they came on and Antoine [Semenyo] was excellent.

“So that’s not a bad five to have back as a starting line-up.”