MX23RW : Monday, February 3 17:13:13| >> :60:1817:1817:

Newport boss Michael Flynn criticises timing of Wales squad announcement

Newport boss Michael Flynn criticises timing of Wales squad announcement
© Reuters
Midfielder Josh Sheehan is a borderline Euro 2020 call, with the squad to be announced before Newport's play-off final.

Michael Flynn has criticised the Football Association of Wales for naming their Euro 2020 squad before Newport's Wembley play-off final due to the possible impact on Exiles midfielder Josh Sheehan.

Wales boss Robert Page announces his 26-man squad for the delayed European Championship on Sunday evening ahead of Newport's meeting with Morecambe in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final the following afternoon.

Sheehan is a borderline Euro 2020 selection and Newport boss Flynn believes Wales should have delayed named their squad until after his side's winner-takes-all promotion showdown.

Competing Euro 2020 teams have until June 1 to register their squads – 10 days prior to the opening match of the tournament.

England manager Gareth Southgate chose to announce his 26-man Euros squad next week after Champions League and Europa League finals involving players from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

"I'm going to have to speak to the Welsh FA to see if they can put it back to Monday night," Flynn said.

"That's not thought through too much for my liking. Whether it's positive or negative, Josh is going to have to deal with it.

"He's either going to be disappointed or excited. Either way it can drive him on to have a good game.

"If it is a negative he has to turn into a positive and show what they're going to miss.

"If it is a positive then he has to keep showing what they're going to get from him and how much he's going to push for a starting place.

"I'm sure it will play on my mind more than his, but he's definitely good enough."

Sheehan was one of the stand-out performers as Newport finished fifth in League Two before beating Forest Green in a crazy play-off semi-final tie, which the Exiles won 5-4 on aggregate.

The 25-year-old, who won his first Wales cap last November, has made over 170 County appearances since suffering a serious injury at Swansea earlier in his career.

"If he didn't have that bad injury I think he would have stayed at Swansea," Flynn said.

"He's an outstanding footballer and I'm very fortunate to be working with him.

"This could be his last Newport game. I'm sure he has attracted a lot of attention this season and there will be a lot of suitors for him."

Flynn has packed a lot into his four years as Newport boss with an incredible EFL relegation escape act, numerous cup runs and giant-killing scalps and two play-off appearances on his CV.

"The only thing missing in the whole lot is a promotion and that's what we want more than anything," Flynn said as County prepare to make a fifth Wembley visit in nine years.

"Although we lost last time (to Tranmere in 2019) there were no nerves. It was a very tight encounter where we should have had a penalty and we conceded in the last minute of extra time.

"It was nothing to do with the occasion and it getting the better of us.

"I think it will be another tight encounter and hopefully we pip it this time. It's either a carnival atmosphere or a graveyard and I know which side I want to be on."

ID:449343: cacheID:449343:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4789:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Hege Riise explains absence of Northern Ireland players
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall28185554302459
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster29157742321052
3Notts County28148645281750
4AFC Wimbledon27146739201948
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe291212536251148
6Port Vale2813963529648
7Bradford CityBradford28138738281047
8Salford City2812883326744
9Grimsby Town29133134045-542
10Chesterfield28109943321139
11MK Dons28115124240238
12Cheltenham TownCheltenham28108103739-238
13Colchester UnitedColchester2881373329437
14Swindon TownSwindon30910114344-137
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood279993735236
16Bromley2881193637-135
17Gillingham2795132529-432
18BarrowBarrow2887132732-531
19Newport CountyNewport2786133546-1130
20Harrogate TownHarrogate3086162541-1630
21Accrington StanleyAccrington2778123445-1129
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2868142146-2526
23Morecambe2865172644-1823
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2856172246-2421


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!