MICHAEL Flynn has warned his Newport County AFC players that they have to stay focused and perform in League Two to ensure they keep their place to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

Flynn and his players are still on a high from their cup success over Leeds United last Sunday and their pairing with Premier League giants Spurs in the fourth round draw.

But County face three crucial League Two fixtures before they welcome Harry Kane and Co to Rodney Parade on January 27.

Flynn’s men go to Grimsby Town tomorrow before hosting Crawley Town next Friday and Morecambe on Tuesday, January 23.

The boss doesn’t want the massive cup clash to become a distraction from the Exiles’ play-off push and he wants to be in the top-seven by the time Spurs come to town.

“If they don’t keep up their good standards then they risk losing their place against Tottenham so I think that’s the team-talk done really,” said the manager.

“Grimsby is one of the furthest trips of the season and this is our bread and butter.

“We’ve got to be professional and keep concentrating and I’m sure they will because I’ve got a great group.

“I don’t need to ban talk of Tottenham. After Tuesday they have been focused.

“Spirits are high, as they have been all season,” he added.

“We’ve just got to keep it going now, keep plodding away and by the time we play Tottenham in the FA Cup let’s set ourselves a challenge and see if we can be in the play-off spots by then.

“Momentum goes a long way and we’ve definitely got a little bit of that at the moment.”

South Wales Argus:

County are currently 11th in the table – four points off the top-seven -and beat Grimsby 1-0 at Rodney Parade in September (above).

The Mariners are 15th, five points behind the Exiles, and manager Russell Slade is under pressure from the Mariners’ fans.

But Flynn is preparing his players for another tough examination.

“What goes on at Grimsby doesn’t affect me or concern me,” he said.

“It’s a tough place to go, it was a tough game down here, they’ve got some very good players and Russell as a manager has been there, seen it and done it.

“I’m sure he’s been in worse situations that this and pulled through and I’m hoping that they do it after Saturday but I’m going there for three points.

“It’s League Two; it’s a tough game and if we’re not up for it we’ll get beaten,” added Flynn.

“We’ve got to be on our mettle for every game and if anyone decides they don’t fancy it then they won’t be in the team.

“But that won’t happen. They all want to play in every game.

“They’ve been fighting for the shirts for every game. The Spurs one will add that little bit of extra fight and determination that they keep their shirt.

“That’s what I’m looking for and, whatever happens against Spurs, we want to be in a good position and they have to keep fighting to get us promoted.”