ANTHONY Glennon was up for the fight for nine-man Newport County AFC against Port Vale and the left-back has been challenged to show that same tenacity from the first whistle on Saturday.

The Exiles have defensive headaches for this weekend’s trip to winless Swindon Town (kick-off 12.30pm) but not on Glennon’s flank.

Fitness-permitting, he will line up on the left at the County Ground this weekend while fellow defenders Shane McLoughlin and James Clarke are injured and Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson are suspended.

County hope that Matt Baker will return from Wales Under-21s duty unscathed to slot into a rejigged back line that will need to show plenty of fight against a Swindon side hungry for a first success under Mark Kennedy.

Glennon relished his duel with Aston Villa youngster Rico Richards in the closing stages of the 4-1 loss to the Valiants, indulging in some verbals after a sliding challenge when the winger had tried to outfox him on the outside.

Four of his seven tackles came in the last 20 minutes and he certainly didn’t wave the white flag.

Newport County defender Anthony GlennonNewport County defender Anthony Glennon (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

However, Glennon was partially at fault for the opener after lively winger Benicio Baker-Boaitey cut in on his left to put in a ball that was headed in by Jayden Stockley.

The wing-back failed to stop the cross, which was a weakness that was also exploited by Cheltenham on opening weekend.

Head coach Nelson Jardim wants Glennon to relish his defensive duels from the off in Wiltshire.

“I said in the dressing room, that is what he needs to do from minute one, not just the last 30,” said the boss after the Vale humbling. “He has just shown that he has got that in him, so he needs to be consistent.”

Glennon’s delivery from the left has caused problems and he provided the assist for Aaron Wildig’s equaliser against Vale with a terrific whipped cross.

The 24-year-old has created eight chances in the league this season while he has also impressed with his long passing.

County’s change to wing-backs after starting the season with a flat back four appears to suit the summer signing from Grimsby but he has room for improvement in defence.

Fotmob have given him a tackle success rate of 58.3 per cent while he wins 48 per cent of duels, a figure that rises slightly to 53.8 per cent in the air.

Glennon has made 17 recoveries but has been dribbled past seven times.

The stats site rates categories green (best in their position), amber (average) and red (worst), with the Exiles left-back green for tackling, red for being dribbled past and duels won, and amber for the rest.