FA Cup: Newport boss Graham Coughlan ignoring possibility of facing Manchester United

Newport County boss Graham Coughlan is ignoring the "pantomime" of possibly facing his boyhood heroes Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Newport travel to National League outfit Eastleigh on Tuesday night for a third-round replay, with the winners hosting the Red Devils in round four.

Television coverage means reaching the fourth round could be worth some £400,000 to League Two Newport.

"Let's concentrate on the game," said Coughlan.

"Let's not start having this pantomime of Manchester United and finances and all sorts of nonsense.

"It's a game of football, let's get our heads around the game of football.

"It's 90 minutes, possibly 120. Club against club. Team against team. That is where we are at, nothing more, nothing less.

"It's a great achievement by both clubs to be still in the FA Cup at this stage."

Though Coughlan is attempting to focus on the action, there is no doubt this is a huge encounter for Newport.

Victory would provide a welcome financial boost for the club, who are set to be taken over by former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins before the end of this month.

Newport are awaiting final confirmation of the takeover from the English Football League.

Eastleigh manager Richard Hill, whose side earned a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade in the original tie, described the Newport encounter as "the biggest game in the club's history" given the prospect of facing 12-time winners United.

Hill said he had "one eye" on the Newport game prior to his team's 1-0 home defeat by Southend United last Saturday, which left Eastleigh 11th in the fifth tier.

Newport are 17th in League Two under Coughlan, who grew up a Manchester United fan in his native Republic of Ireland.

Chris Maguire's late penalty at Rodney Parade earned 10-man Eastleigh a replay

The Newport manager said: "I don't think there is a favourite [against Eastleigh]. Both teams will be giving it their all.

"You can turn around and say they rested players on Saturday and were able to take their eye off the ball. We didn't have that luxury.

"I didn't think there were any favourites in the first game. Both clubs are similar.

"Eastleigh might be in a better place player-wise and squad-wise and might be in better place wages-wise than ourselves. But I've got a group of lads and if we turn up we'll hopefully do ourselves justice.

"If we're successful, brilliant. If we are unsuccessful we will congratulate Eastleigh and we move on."

• MEN UP: Five ordinary Welshmen embark on a surprising medical trial

• UNMISSABLE DRAMA: When the Wolf is at the door, be very afraid