NEWPORT County AFC lined up without both Bryn Morris and Will Evans in the starting line-up just twice in League Two last season, but there are big question marks over the pair for the opener at Cheltenham.
The Exiles have had a big summer rebuild with a new boss in Nelson Jardim working with 11 recruits who have been signed up on two-year contracts.
That means it is guaranteed to be a new-look County at Whaddon Road a week on Saturday.
If Scot Bennett starts in a red jersey for Michael Flynn’s side then it is possible that his 367 appearances for the Exiles could eclipse that tally in the visitors’ XI.
It’s hard to guess Jardim’s starting line-up for Cheltenham but the head coach is likely to give a few clues at Hereford on Saturday in the last of the friendlies.
One would imagine that Nick Townsend’s experience will get the nod ahead of Jacob Carney as goalkeeper while Shane McLoughlin and Anthony Glennon are likely to be the full-backs.
There are good options at centre-back with veteran James Clarke, Kyle James, Matt Baker and new boy Ciaran Brennan in the squad.
Aaron Wildig, who has captained the side so far this summer, will be a key man in midfield but the availability of Morris is a major concern.
Remarkably, the 28-year-old played in all 57 games in his first year in Newport with just one of those appearances as a substitute, and that was when he came on at half-time in the EFL Trophy win at Cheltenham.
Morris’ experience and composure will be vital in these opening months of the season when the new boys – notably new midfielders Kai Whitmore and Cameron Antwi – are trying to get to grips with the step up to the EFL.
The ever-present will know his fitness and whether Cheltenham is possible, but Jardim will also be playing the long game; there is no point taking a risk in game one of what is at least a 51-game season.
The same applies with Evans, whose situation remains the same regarding transfer interest.
Last season’s top scorer has admirers after his 25-goal season and owner Huw Jenkins revealed that “tentative” offers from League One clubs have already been rebuffed.
With one year left of his contract, it’s a situation that really needs to be settled in this transfer window if County are to get a healthy sum.
There is a lot to weigh up and a year of Evans then him going on a free is arguably better than him going on the cheap in this transitional year for the club under Jenkins.
The hard-working forward – who certainly isn’t a character to let speculation affect him – is still a possible for the trip to Cheltenham.
The mid-Walian hasn’t played yet in pre-season because of a hamstring niggle but has been doing some training and is in line to step things up soon.
Ideally he will get some action in Hereford and then be a contender for Whaddon Road, with a likely role of adding goal threat from a wide position and playing off influential striker Courtney Baker-Richardson.
A lack of pre-season minutes for Morris and Evans is a concern, and they might not be ready for the full 90, but seeing their names on the team sheet in Cheltenham at 2pm on Saturday week would give a big lift at the start of an unpredictable season.
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