Boss Graham Turner is hoping a combination of attitude and ability can help Shrewsbury Town avoid FA Cup misery at Newport County tomorrow.

Town have failed to progress beyond the first round in each of the last five seasons, suffering humiliating exits to non-League opponents Blyth and Staines along the way.

Tomorrow’s clash against the club lying 22nd in Blue Square Premier has been given extra spice with ESPN selecting the game for live television coverage (12.30pm kick off).

And Turner knows his side will have to be at their best to progress. “We always want to be in the third round draw when the big clubs come in and in order to do that you have to get through tricky ties like this,” said the Town boss.

“The recent history of the club in the FA Cup has been poor and we need to match the attitude of the Newport players and then hopefully let that ability come out.

“If you don’t match their enthusiasm and hard work, then you will pay the penalty.

“We know they will be full of energy and the presence of the television cameras means they think there might be a Cup upset in prospect.

“I imagine the build up being quite significant down in Newport and we couldn’t have asked for a tougher game.”

Town will be well versed on a Newport side who have been managed by Justin Edinburgh – a former FA Cup winner with Spurs – for the last month.

“We know what we have got to go and face,” added Turner.

“We have watched a DVD of them and had them watched last Saturday.

“It’s a very, very small pitch – probably the smallest we will play on all season so there isn’t going to be a lot of room to play and pass it.”

Turner has plenty of midfield options to ponder. While James Wallace starts a three-match ban, fellow loanee Aaron Wildig is available while Nicky Wroe is also expected to have returned from a groin injury.

Striker Marvin Morgan is back from a one game suspension but James Collins and Tom Bradshaw are away on international duty.

• The game will be screened live in the Arthur Rowley Lounge at the Greenhous Meadow tomorrow.