'Physical' - Walsall warned to expect FA Cup battle at Newport

Lee Grant has warned Walsall must brace for a physical battle in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County.

The Saddlers boss believes their hosts are a club on the up under new boss Hayden Mullins, who returned to senior management when he took charge in the summer.

Newport, who narrowly avoided the drop to non-league last season, sit 14th in the League Two table but boast a strong record at Rodney Parade, with Tuesday’s Football League Trophy loss to Crystal Palace’s under-21s their first reverse on home turf.

Former Palace and West Ham midfielder Mullins has been unapologetic about their direct approach and Grant knows that will pose a challenge for his team.

“Listening to their manager I have been struck by his honesty and openness,” he said.

“His pragmatism is through the roof, black and white in terms of his approach.

“His words are we know who we are, we are really sure how we can go and affect teams and if you watch them, you can see it.

“They are making it hard by being direct. He makes no bones about it, they are going to be one of the most direct teams in our league.

“They are also one of the most physical teams in our league. Without even seeing the data I can tell they are running a lot.”

Grant added: “I have a lot of respect for Hayden, what he is doing and what he has done and also the feeling he has generated and changed at that club.

“I am pretty sure if you are a supporter, you are ecstatic about what they have done this season.

“This is going to be tough for all of those reasons, physical, tough, running. They are going to challenge you on lots of stuff. We have to be ready for that.”