NEWPORT County AFC caretaker manager Michael Flynn says the League Two relegation battle is a “dog eat dog” experience and he hopes Hartlepool United receive the fatal bite this weekend.

County go into tomorrow’s penultimate match at Carlisle United two points above Hartlepool United and two behind Cheltenham Town.

Victory for the Exiles at Brunton Park would mean Hartlepool, who parted company with manager Dave Jones earlier this week, have to beat Cheltenham at Whaddon Road to take the fight into the final weekend of the season.

“I’m not really concerned about Hartlepool, if I’m honest,” said Flynn.

“I’ve got enough to worry about with Newport County.

“They’ve made a change but it’s not a danger to Newport County because if we win our last two games then they can’t do anything about it.

“It could give them a little kick, a little boost, but we’ll have to wait and see. We’ll find out at 5pm on Saturday.

“Being selfish, I hope it doesn’t give them any boost.

“I hope they don’t get the result and I don’t mean that in a nasty way but I’m sure they’d swap places with us and relegate Newport County.”

"He added: "I’m not too interested in Hartlepool at the moment and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way.

"It’s dog eat dog. It’s a results business and we want to get the results.

"They’ve got their own problems up there and I’ve tried to ignore it.

"I’m just thinking about Newport County."