NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley hopes tonight’s FA Cup third round draw will provide his side with another big boost before the Exiles focus on climbing out of the League Two relegation zone tomorrow.

County are in the hat after holding Plymouth Argyle to a 0-0 draw at Home Park, despite playing with 10 men for more than 70 minutes after Sean Rigg was shown a straight red card.

Westley hopes tonight’s draw will deliver a Premier League giant or a winnable home tie for the winner of the replay at Rodney Parade – likely to be played on December 13.

Asked about the third round draw, he said: “It changes the prize. If you’re playing for a game at Old Trafford it changes the prize and it develops the players’ motivation to win the game.

“Or if you’re playing to earn a home third round tie that you really do fancy your chances in it gives you a chance to win your way through to round four.

“But in the end you have to win round two to worry about round three.

“So, yes there’s a motivational factor but you know that there’s stern opposition between you and round three.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re home or away, whether the opposition is the same level or a lower level, in the FA Cup anything is possible.

“It’s all about who wants it on the day, who’s focused on the day and who’s ready and we’ve got to make sure that is us if we want to get through to round three.”

Before the replay Westley’s men face his old side Stevenage at Rodney Parade tomorrow night in a crucial League Two fixture.

The Exiles are bottom of the table but this is their game in hand over their rivals and a win would see them move up to 21st.

A draw would also be enough to move out of the bottom two and up to 22nd – above Cheltenham Town on goal difference and Leyton Orient on goals scored.

“It is a huge game,” said Westley. “It’s an opportunity to banish the bottom two and leave it behind.

“We want the three points. We’ve been good at home in recent weeks and we are looking like a side that can play to a game plan.”

Defenders Darren Jones and Paul Bignot will return from suspension but Rigg will start a three-match ban unless the club appeals his red card.

“Riggy is adamant that he made no contact with the player and adamant that he won the ball so I have to go with that and think it might have been harsh,” said the boss.

“I can’t say if we’ll appeal it because I haven’t seen a rerun.

“But I’m sure if the incident is as Riggy described it then it will be worth appealing.”