Wrexham v Newport County: 'Extra incentive' to perform in Welsh derby, says Phil Parkinson
- Published
Saturday's game comes a decade on from Newport County's 2-0 Conference Premier play-off final win over Wrexham
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson says there is an extra incentive to perform against Newport County in Saturday's League Two game at the Stok Racecourse.
The Welsh rivals have not met since the Exiles won 4-0 in an FA Cup second-round replay in December 2018.
The game comes a decade since Newport beat Wrexham in the 2013 Conference Premier play-off final, with the Exiles returning to the Football League.
"It's a Welsh derby and there's history between the two clubs," Parkinson said.
"I think everybody understands the importance of every game.
"Every game for us has been like a cup final since I came to the club. This has got that extra bit of incentive.
"The lads are used to playing in that cup tie type of environment.
"In terms of the atmosphere and the occasion, I'm expecting us to handle that really well, take it in our stride and keep our run going."
Saturday's meeting will see the opening of the 2,289-seater section in the Kop stand, with the development taking the Racecourse's capacity beyond 12,000 for the first time in 16 years.
"It's great, it completes the ground," Parkinson said of the new stand.
"With the supporters there, it's exciting for everybody and it's a great game to get it opened."
Wrexham trio Steven Fletcher, Ryan Barnett and Arthur Okonkwo are all being assessed ahead of the visit of Graham Coughlan's outfit.
Midfielder George Evans is unavailable for the hosts due to suspension.
Wrexham - who had to wait until last season to follow Newport back into the Football League - currently sit third in League Two and are bidding to win their sixth consecutive home league game this weekend.
Newport sit 17th in the table, 14 points behind the Dragons.