FA Cup: Newport vs Swansea

Around 1,000 travelling supporters will make the short trip East tomorrow as Swansea City face Newport County in the much anticipated Welsh derby in the FA Cup first round.

It won't be a straightforward cup tie against the Conference South side though as County will be right up for causing an upset. So too will striker Craig Hughes, a convicted football hooligan who is relishing the opportunity to face his bitter rivals.

Newport County have reported ticket sales of 4,800 for the game.

Kenny Jackett:

'Because of the circumstances, it's a 50-50 game,'

'It's a local derby, they have several ex-professionals and some of them are former Swansea players.

'They have home advantage, too, and all that added up evens things up. Our league status will count for nothing and I genuinely believe we'll have to be at our very best to win the game.'

'We're very hungry for a cup run,'

Ex-Swans defender Steve Jenkins will miss out the opportuntity to face his former club as he is cup-tied.

Lee Jenkins should make it to the bench after recently returning from injury and Julian Alsop should partner the hooligan Hughes up front.

Jason Bowen, the fourth former Swan in the side should start on the right flank.

Newport have added to their squad for tomorrow's game with the signing of former Rotherham midfielder Darren Garner. The 34 year-old is not cup-tied and is available for selection tomorrow.

Their top scorer can't wait to face his rival club tomorrow and says we hate him and he hates us, I think he got that bit wrong as no one knows him, unless they heard about his football hooliganism that got him in prison.

Lets show him how real football is played and that he is no match for the pro's!

With Williams out, Austin will start at left back. Midfield trio Pratley, Way and Tudur-Jones are all out so Tate will move up into midfield and partner either O'Leary or MacDonald in the centre. Kevin Amankwaah should return to cover Tate's right back position.

He'll need to be on top form I think if we are to win this game.

Our last game against Newport was three years ago in the FAW Premier Cup and it ended in an embarrassing 3-1 defeat. Brian Flynn was manager then as we struggled but managed to avoid relegation out of the football league.

I think we're in for a hard battle at Spytty Park and I have doubts over the final score but we should edge it and go through to the second round, 2-1 Swans win.

Saturday 18th November
Port Vale vs Swansea (a)
3pm kick off

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