MANAGER Graham Coughlan believes Newport County AFC would be serious League Two play-off contenders and not outsiders were it not for injury misfortune.
The Exiles boss has issued a rallying cry to his squad ahead of today's trip to second-placed Stockport (kick-off 3pm).
County are in the mix for the play-offs with 11 games to go - they are 12th, five points off seventh - but their small squad is stretched after more bad luck.
The Exiles have lost captain Ryan Delaney (knee) and his fellow central defender James Clarke (knee) for the rest of the campaign.
Influential right-back Shane McLoughlin (calf) could return for the final games while striker Omar Bogle (leg) and Josh Seberry (broken fibula) are also on the comeback trail.
County are also having to nurse defenders Kyle Jameson and Declan Drysdale plus striker Offrande Zanzala back to full fitness and the ability to play a full 90 minutes after injury.
The loss of Clarke leaves Coughlan with a decision to make – he can move Scot Bennett from midfield to join Matt Baker and Jameson in a defensive trio, gamble with Drysdale or change from his favoured 3-5-2 system.
The Exiles have been in fine form since Christmas courtesy of a healthy squad after an autumn injury crisis, but things appear to be going against them again.
“Having to tweak things is part and parcel of our season,” lamented the manager. “It’s been frustrating with the adversity we have had to face from all angles.
“If we had what we have in the squad available to us on a regular basis then I don’t think we would be sitting where we are in the division, we’d be higher.
“The season has been really positive and my message to the lads is that we have to keep it positive and finish strongly.”
The Exiles went on a seven-game unbeaten run after Christmas but have lost three of their last five in a tough run of fixtures against promotion contenders.
Coughlan said: “You get a bit of momentum and on a bit of a run and then all of a sudden, bang, the fixture list comes up and it’s Notts County, MK Dons, Mansfield, Stockport all in a block of six. Deal with that!”
County did stun Stockport 2-1 when the sides met at Rodney Parade at the end of November thanks to goals by Bryn Morris and Shane McLoughlin.
That denied the Hatters a record 13th straight win in the fourth tier and Coughlan remains full of respect for today’s hosts, even if they are currently on a four-game winless streak.
“They are up at the top for a reason, this might be their year,” said the County boss.
“It’s a really hostile atmosphere and good place to go and play – it’s a chance for our players to put down a marker, show they can compete at the top-end of League Two and show what we are all about.
“It won’t be easy and we understand they have far bigger, stronger, more adept squad than we do, but we make the most of what we have.”
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