NEWPORT County AFC manager James Rowberry has warned his players about being caught on the break by one of League Two's most potent counter-attacking teams this afternoon.

Crawley head to Rodney Parade 12th in the table, too far away for a late push for the play-offs but comfortably away from trouble at the bottom.

However, there is no danger of them clocking off under uncompromising manager John Yems and they travel to Newport with three wins from their last four games.

Crawley have the fourth lowest average possession percentage in League Two but patience will be key for the Exiles, who can't afford to be hit by a sucker punch.

South Wales Argus: OPENER: Crawley hit the front in the draw between the sides in NovemberOPENER: Crawley hit the front in the draw between the sides in November

"They are very well organised and very structured, and one of the best counter-attacking teams in the division with the front three that they have got," warned Rowberry.

"They flip between systems quite often in games but have settled on a 3-4-3 with Jack Payne and Jake Hessenthaler in midfield, then two 10s and a 9.

"We have to be prepared for that and set up well - we will have to defend well when we have got the ball, if that makes sense.

"They have got ball-playing abilities as well and it's going to be a challenging game.

"We will have to be patient in our build, be patient taking the ball from the back and patient in playing between the lines."

County would love to hit the front early to ease their nerves in the tense and tight promotion race.

"We are a fast-starting team," said Rowberry. "We weren't so much against Exeter [in the last home game] because they did particularly well with us when we turned the ball over with that first pass in transition."

County drew 1-1 at Crawley in November when Dom Telford struck in the closing stages to cancel out Kwesi Appiah's opener from a set play.