FA Cup: Manchester United tie special for Newport's Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis
- Published
Adam Lewis has made 16 appearances for Newport this season
FA Cup fourth round: Newport County v Manchester United |
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Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport Date: Sunday, 28 January Kick-off: 16:30 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru 2, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text |
Highlights: Match of the Day, BBC One from 22:30 GMT and later on demand |
On-loan defender Adam Lewis will be roared on back home on Merseyside when Newport County face Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Liverpool full-back is on a season-long loan with the League Two club.
Liverpool-born Lewis hails from a family of Reds fans and said taking on rivals United in the fourth round will be extra special.
"I'm a big Liverpool supporter so it will always be nice to beat them," said the 24-year-old.
"I've had tonnes of messages from Liverpool fans and my family saying you have to beat them, so fingers crossed.
"I think it means a lot, not just for me but all the lads. It's something people dream of, playing in the FA Cup against one of the biggest teams in the world."
Lewis, in his second spell on loan at Newport, has watched Liverpool take on United as a fan and played for the Anfield club against their rivals at age-group levels.
"When I was younger it was always a bit fiery. I think it's just natural the rivalry Liverpool and Manchester United have," he added.
"I have been to many games and you know how passionate the fans are on both sides. Hopefully I can get one over them."
Local lad Adam Lewis joined Liverpool at under-6 level
Aiming to finish strongly
Lewis was out of action for almost three months after suffering a thigh injury in September.
He returned as a late substitute on 26 December and has built up his match minutes until playing more than an hour of the derby victory over Wrexham on Saturday.
With Kyle Jameson also on the comeback trail - plus Offrande Zanzala and Declan Drysdale set to return from injury soon - Lewis is aiming for a rewarding end of the season with his Liverpool contact up this summer.
Lewis has made just only senior appearance for Liverpool, an FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury in 2020, amid spells at Plymouth Argyle and Livingstone, and has not ruled out another return to Rodney Parade.
"I'm open to anything really," he said. "I've settled well here, my family really love it, we have friends here and I'm close with the lads in the team."
He has also struck up a good rapport with the Newport fans, even joining them on the terraces for the win at Morecambe in November, along with Jameson.
He said: "The fans have probably never seen Manchester United play here so we're not just playing for ourselves, we are playing for them. It's their reward."
