MICHAEL Flynn knows there is no change of his classmate Phil Brown giving Newport County AFC an easy route to the play-offs in Southend tomorrow afternoon.

The Exiles need a point to secure a top-seven finish in League Two when they travel to Roots Hall to face a Shrimpers side that have been condemned to the National League.

However, Southend beat County when the sides met in February and have finished the campaign strongly after bringing back Brown.

READ MORE: Flynn calls on Exiles to finish the job in fantastic season

They sacked Mark Molesley with six games left and appointed the veteran manager, who was in charge between 2013 and 2018.

Brown has lost just once since taking the reins but Southend left themselves with too much to do in their bid to catch Scunthorpe, Barrow or Colchester.

They may be down but Exiles boss Flynn knows the Essex side, who are fresh from wins against Leyton Orient and Barrow, will not roll over.

RELEGATED: Southend will play their last game in League Two against County

RELEGATED: Southend will play their last game in League Two against County

"They will want to finish on a high. I know Phil Brown well and he is a very proud man," he said.

"They have been on a good run of form and it's going to be a tough afternoon. We have to make sure we are at it."

Flynn, 40, is at the start of his managerial career but believes Brown's appetite for learning at the age of 61 speaks volumes.

"We are doing a diploma together. I've come across Phil plenty of times in football and he's a very knowledgeable man," he said.

"He has managed at the top level and is somebody I have a lot of respect for. He is still trying to develop himself now and is not what everybody says, arrogant and all that, he is still willing to learn and I have a lot of time for him.

"Phil has a strong bond with Southend and it says a lot about him, he wasn't scared of the challenge ahead and backed himself.

"He only just fell short and we will never know what might have been. Was it two games short, who knows? He has done a very good job since he has been there."

Flynn expectations about Brown's Southend were backed up by the Shrimpers boss at his pre-match press conference.

He said there is no change of the hosts going through the motions at Roots Hall.

"It's a disgrace if you down tools and don't wear that shirt with pride regardless of what the game has on offer or what there is to play for," Brown said to the Southend Echo.

"If I detect anything like that, either in the warm-up or the first five minutes in the game they will be replaced.

"We're blessed with five subs and when I first started we didn't have any.

"But I'd rather play with 10 men fighting than have an 11th who is not giving his all.

"The team will be selected on that premise and it will be fighting for the pride in the shirt we wear."

The Exiles are set to be greeted by Southend supporters at Roots Hall who are protesting about the ownership of the club.

County are confident that the hosts will ensure there is no disruption to their normal pre-match routine.

Flynn said: "Apart from driving the coach I am not sure what I can do! I am sure Southend will have this covered with security and it's not even come into my head."