Newport County without Wales U21 talent Baker for Port Vale

The Exiles will hunt a fourth straight League Two win when they welcome the Valiants to Rodney Parade on Saturday.

However, they will be forced into a change at the back with Baker, who has started the last five games, on international duty ahead of the Welsh young guns’ trip to Iceland for a European qualifier on Tuesday.

County are also without club captain James Clarke until the end of the month and that leaves Nelson Jardim with a selection headache.

The head coach could opt to return to a flat back four with Ciaran Brennan alongside Kyle Jameson or he could stick with a trio.

Evans made his first start for the club in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham on the right of a central three.

The 23-year-old played as a centre-back for Taunton in National League South last season but has also operated as a full-back for the Exiles and played the second half of the 2-1 loss to the Robins as left-back.

CHANCE: Cameron Evans made his first start for Newport County against Cheltenham (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Evans, who came through at Swansea City, put in a solid performance that has done his hopes of staying in the XI and earning a first EFL start the power of good.

“Cam is a great lad and represents the values of this club in abundance,” said assistant head coach Dafydd Williams. “He is hard-working, committed, loyal, is aggressive and a good competitor.

“He has done really well because it has been a big step up for him. He earned that start and has given us something to think about moving forward.”

County brought on teenage central defender Nelson Sanca for the second half with Josh Seberry, who made an impressive start to last season before suffering a broken leg, fit but missing out on the matchday squad.

The Exiles led 1-0 at the break thanks to a well-taken goal by Cardiff City midfielder Kieron Evans but a red card for goalkeeper Jacob Carney meant they played the second half with 10 men.

Cheltenham got on the front foot and took the spoils thanks to goals by Harrison Sohna and Joel Colwill, but there were plenty of positives.

POSITIVE: Newport County played some enterprising football in the first half against Cheltenham (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“We played some really good stuff and you could hear them trying to solve a couple of problems that we had caused,” said Williams.

“We had a team-talk ready for half-time and the red card happened; we lost out on a second ball from a set play, which isn’t good enough really.

“It changed our intentions and it was tough in the second half but some of the stuff that we played was really positive.

“We are disappointed to lose but the character, resilience and hard work that those lads showed in the second half was really pleasing.”

County made seven changes to the XI that beat Morecambe 1-0 with opportunities for loan signings Jamie Miley, Kieron Evans and Noah Mawene along with forwards Oliver Greaves and Luke Jephcott.

“Up until the red card we were in a really good place and the young lads in midfield were key to that. We had a little bit of a change of shape, which maybe you can do in this competition, and the players bought into that really well.

“The midfielders have that energy and come from good clubs with pedigree, so have a technical background.

“It was great for them to get minutes and stake a claim to stay in the side on Saturday. We have a good team here, not individuals, and that was really emphasised with that performance.”

County will still be without winger Michael Spellman, who suffered a muscle injury on the eve of the season, for another few weeks.