TINKERMAN Michael Flynn has warned his Newport County AFC cup heroes that he will send them to train with the kids if they sulk about losing their spots.

The Exiles have enjoyed a superb start to the season with Carabao Cup victories against Swansea and Watford of the Championship either side of the win against Cambridge United.

In League Two they beat Barrow after starting with a draw at Scunthorpe United while their solitary defeat of the campaign, against Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy, could easily have been a success.

The Exiles have started strongly with manager Flynn rotating his squad ahead of what will be a testing season with a hectic schedule.

So far he has used 21 starters with wing-back Ryan Haynes the solitary ever-present in the XI.

South Wales Argus:

County take on Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and the manager could well freshen things up again.

"I've just told them that I hope nobody goes away sulking or trying to have any negative impact on the group, because I will get rid of them. I will send them into the academy and they won't be part of our group because we can't have that," said Flynn.

"I know that those are harsh words but this is the time that you need to keep on top of them and you need to keep everyone together.

"I don't want anybody to get carried away or anybody to try to drift away from the group."

Flynn made 10 changes to the side that beat Swansea for the EFL Trophy game with Cheltenham, then nine changes for the clash at Scunthorpe, four for Cambridge, three for Barrow and five for Watford.

County's strength in depth is shown by captain Joss Labadie and striker Padraig Amond, the club's top scorer for the past three years, being in and out of the side.

The experienced duo returned to the XI for the win against Watford with midfielder Labadie scoring a terrific goal in the first half and Amond getting off the mark for the season with a comprehensive finish to secure the win.

South Wales Argus:

"They have been big players for us in the past but we've got lots more options this season and hopefully it stays like that, because that'd mean the injuries are down," said Flynn.

"When players get their chance, they've got to take it. It's as simple as that. I've never seen a footballer get into a team by sulking and they definitely won't here.

"The players haven't been sulking – I just want to make that clear – I am just putting a line in the sand."

Flynn ranked the performance in beating Cambridge as one of the best of his time in charge and the Watford win was just as impressive, dominating a team that were in the Premier League last season.

"It was a really, really outstanding performance. To be in the fourth round for the first time in the club's history is a huge achievement, we've beaten two Championship teams now.

"It's always nice to beat a team a couple of divisions above you and that felt good."