Middlesbrough vs Newport preview: John Obi Mikel could make debut

Newport County travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday looking for another FA Cup shock having already knocked Leicester out of the competition this season.

The Exiles' 2-1 victory over Leicester was their first over a top-flight team since 1964, while Michael Flynn's side dumped Leeds out and forced Tottenham into a fourth-round replay last season, before losing 2-0 at Wembley.

And boss Flynn knows they have exceeded expectations.

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"The boys keep raising the bar, and they deserve all the credit I can give them," he said. "I'm sure they're getting that adoration from the supporters, because the last year in the FA Cup has been phenomenal.

"Our results have been incredible, and we're going to go there and give it our best shot. We know it's going to be tough. We haven't got the advantage of the home crowd and home comforts, but it's a football pitch with two goals and 22 players."

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough's squad have been hit by the flu this week, with several players missing training in the build-up to the game against Newport.

It means boss Tony Pulis, who has used past cup fixtures to shuffle his squad, will be forced to work with what he has available to him on Saturday.

"We're waiting to see who comes in, and who doesn't have the flu," he said. "There's been four or five who've come down with it. A couple we haven't seen for two or three days.

"We'll have a roll call, see who's available and not available. We can forget the squad, we have see who's up and running and ready to go."

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Team news

Middlesbrough are optimistic of gaining international clearance for John Obi Mikel in time for tomorrow's game, but Tony Pulis has said his new signing requires patience.

"He hasn't played since November, so we have to get him up to speed," Pulis said. "We'll have a good look at him in training and see where he is."

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Flynn has revealed Newport will be without defender Fraser Franks. He also has doubts over captain Andrew Crofts.

"There's a couple who are struggling, and I'll pick the team who I think can get us a result up at Middlesbrough," Flynn said.

"Franks is not fit, I'll give you that one, so he's out. Crofts needs more training as well, so he's not one I'm thinking of starting either.

"It's going to be a really tough game, but we'll give it a go."

Opta stats

• Middlesbrough and Newport's only previous meetings were in the 1986-87 in the third tier, with Middlesbrough winning both matches.
• Newport have been eliminated from their last six FA Cup fourth-round ties, progressing to the fifth round only once - in the 1948-49 campaign.
• Middlesbrough have progressed from 22 of their last 24 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, with one of those eliminations coming at the Riverside against Welsh opposition (0-2 vs Cardiff City in March 2008).
• Newport manager Michael Flynn has progressed from three of his four FA Cup ties against sides from a higher division, beating Walsall and Leeds last season, and Leicester City this season.
• Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga has scored seven goals in his seven starts in the FA Cup, netting a brace in their 5-0 win over Peterborough in the third round.

Merson's prediction

This could be the weekend shock. Boro have got to get out of the Championship - that's where their focus should be. Plus, they are not scoring many goals at home. Middlesbrough are a far better team than Newport, but I am not sure their back-up players will be confident enough to find the net. Newport have a good recent record in this competition as well.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

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