NEWPORT County AFC are enjoying the excitement of the looming FA Cup clash with Manchester United – but manager Graham Coughlan is preparing to deliver bad news.

The Exiles are in buoyant mood ahead of the fourth round tie with the Red Devils thanks to a seven-match unbeaten streak.

Last Saturday they upset promotion-chasing Wrexham at a packed and pumped-up Rodney Parade and they have climbed to 14th in League Two.

That is partly thanks to the treatment room emptying after it was jam-packed in the autumn with Coughlan now enjoying more options off the bench.

However, the boss is now faced by some headaches ahead of Sunday’s big day because several of his squad will miss out.

South Wales Argus: READY: Matt Baker, Scot Bennett, Ryan Delaney and James Clarke are all set to feature for County against Manchester UnitedREADY: Matt Baker, Scot Bennett, Ryan Delaney and James Clarke are all set to feature for County against Manchester United (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

County filled their nine-man bench in the replay win at Eastleigh but since then defender/midfielder Matt Baker has returned from injury while new striker Luke Jephcott could also come into the mix if he gets EFL clearance.

Youngsters Harrison Bright and Nelson Sanca and defender Kyle Jameson, who is on the comeback trail from a hip injury, have been unused substitutes recently.

County have reached this stage with a team effort – but some individuals will have to watch on from the stands.

“That’s the toughest part of the job. You have to let one or two lads down and leave them out,” said Coughlan.

“They are a brilliant group of lads to work with and leaving one or two out, making changes and not having them in the squad, hurts them but it hurts me as well.

“I would love to get every one of them on the pitch and every one of them an equal opportunity but 21 or 22 into 11 doesn’t go, or even 20 [including substitutes] for the FA Cup.

“There will always be disappointment but it’s how they handle it. I am sure the lads will get around the one or two who are disappointed.”

It would be a surprise if County deviate greatly from the XI that produced the goods against Wrexham with Wales Under-21s international Baker the leading candidate for a start, whether at the back or adding youthful exuberance to midfield.

“I’ve not even sat and thought about the squad yet, I will have a little look over the next 48 hours and then I will stumble across an XI and put the bench of nine together to cover all eventualities,” said Coughlan.

“I will try and get the strongest team and the strongest bench available, but there will be one or two that are disappointed.

“That’s the nature of the beast and it’s not a nice feeling as a manager making those decisions, but it’s one of those things that you have to do.”

At least four members of the matchday squad will also face disappointment of not getting on the pitch to face United.