Josh Seberry could come in from cold for Newport County

The Exiles are preparing for the relatively short trip to Swindon on Saturday (kick-off 12.30pm) when they will attempt to avoid becoming Mark Kennedy’s first scalp since taking the reins at the County Ground.

County boss Nelson Jardim will be looking for a reaction to the disastrous second half against the Valiants when a 2-1 deficit swiftly became 4-1, before Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson got themselves sent off.

The pair will be suspended for the trip to Wiltshire and that gives the head coach, who will be pleased Matt Baker finished Wales Under-21s’ win in Iceland, a defensive rejig.

Central defender James Clarke is injured along with right-back Shane McLoughlin, who could have been an emergency option after slotting into a back three last autumn.

The Irishman limped off in the opening minutes of the loss to Vale and his industry was badly missed, with an injury update likely at Friday’s press conference.

Cameron Evans was given a first League Two start last weekend but his chance as a centre-back, where he played in National League South for Taunton last season, didn’t last long because of McLoughlin’s injury.

CHALLENGE: Nelson Sanca climbs high to head clear for County against Port Vale (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

He moved to the right and teenager Nelson Sanca was introduced, with the Valiants promptly exposing that rejig for the opener.

The youngster was also at fault for the third after a poor pass when playing out but there can be few grumbles about that when the coaches are encouraging that style.

Sanca was consoled by Mark O’Brien when leaving the field and the teenager, who showed real promise in a struggling side in the run-in last season, will be needed in the coming weeks.

Jardim has admitted that he will consider influential midfielder Bryn Morris in defence to add some experience after he had to drop back in the closing stages last weekend.

Joe Thomas, a summer signing from Swansea’s academy, was an unused substitute against Leyton Orient and Doncaster but has been absent of late because of injury.

County could do with his return to bolster their options while Seberry might come in from the cold after only making the matchday squad at Orient, when he also remained on the bench at Brisbane Road.

“We have a big group and it’s a competitive environment where players are training throughout the week to get that spot in a matchday squad,” said assistant head coach Dafydd Williams after the Irishman was not in the 18 squad for the EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham.

“That’s exactly what Josh is doing, he’s a great lad who is hard-working and he just needs to continue that work.”

IMPRESSIVE: Josh Seberry took his chance with County at the start of last season (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Williams was first team coach last season under manager Graham Coughlan, so will be able to vouch for the 20-year-old’s qualities to head coach Jardim.

The physical defender was impressive in the opening months of 2023/24 when he showed rapid progress week on week.

Seberry, who was with the academy and Shelbourne in the League of Ireland, arrived on trial last summer and earned a two-year contract.

Just like this season, County suffered defensive issues at the start of 2023/24 with Clarke, Jameson, Baker and Declan Drysdale all having spells on the sidelines.

That led to Seberry featuring in every matchday squad of the first three months of the season until he suffered a horror leg break at Notts County on his 12th appearance at the end of October.

The Irish youngster returned in pre-season and featured against Undy and Barry but has been down the pecking order.

Perhaps it’s Seberry’s ball-playing that has led to him being out in the cold but he showed last season that he has the ability to do the nuts and bolts of defending.

County have a long-term aim of developing their style but they aren’t in a position of strength.

To say ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ would be harsh on Seberry’s promise – he earned a deal after impressing two former defenders in Graham Coughlan and Joe Dunne – but the Exiles are down to the bare bones.

If the chance comes, the fringe player needs to take it as he did so impressively a year ago.