NEWPORT County AFC are playing it safe with senior players Will Evans, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Bryn Morris with the aim of them being fit and firing for the League Two opener.
The Exiles continued their preparation for the August 10 trip to Cheltenham with a friendly at Barry Town United on Saturday.
After being Undy and Pontypridd, they were unable to make it a Welsh hat-trick at Jenner Park Stadium when beaten 2-1 by hosts who get their Cymru Premier season under way on Saturday.
County missed a focal point after giving a half each to a pair of trialists in the absence of Evans and Baker-Richardson, with Luke Jephcott playing in a wider role in the second half.
Midfielder Morris – who played in every game last season – sat out the fixture on Barry’s plastic pitch after a leg injury suffered at Ponty.
Given the inexperience in County’s ranks, the availability of the senior trio is important for the coming campaign.
“Will is getting closer,” said head coach Nelson Jardim. “He is building his fitness and needs another couple of days, maybe a week, then hopefully he will be fit and good to go.
“We are being careful with Courtney as well and just want to make sure that everyone is ready to go at the start of the season.
“I need to have them ready to go. We are just being careful and managing some efforts.”
DANGEROUS: Anthony Glennon was a threat for County down the left in the first half (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)
County’s defeat was disappointing but Jardim was quick to point out the heavy workload that his squad has had.
Players sat in inflatable ice baths by the Jenner Park entrance as the post-match rain poured down in Barry as they rested up ahead of Tuesday’s behind closed doors friendly at Championship club Bristol City.
“The players have been fantastic and I know that they are tired. It was a big effort for them after a week when we have been working in a strong way,” said Jardim.
“It was a game that helped us get to know more about the players; we did good things and bad things, so now it’s about improving.
“The positive is that the boys are trying to play and connect a lot of passes. We will need time to make sure they understand each other on and off the pitch, and my job is to help them get that connection quicker.
“We have to be focused on the process of building the style and a team, then we will be ready to face our first game.”
County travel to Bristol on Tuesday and then head to Kidderminster of National League North on Saturday.
Their final friendly before the Cheltenham opener is the following weekend in Hereford.
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