NEWPORT County AFC will be boosted by the leadership of ‘future captain’ Ciaran Brennan for Tuesday’s League Two clash with Salford.
The Exiles will hunt a quickfire double at Rodney Parade against the Ammies after Saturday’s morale-boosting 2-1 win against Crewe.
County’s injury list should shorten in the coming week while Brennan is back after sitting out three fixtures in League Two because of a red card in the 4-1 defeat to Port Vale.
The defender was a victim of Ben Garrity’s experience when, with County already trailing by three goals, he reacted to having his leg held when the pair were on the floor on the touchline.
The summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday will return with a point to prove.
“It was one of the major events in his football life that he will learn from,” said head coach Nelson Jardim.
“If you get too emotional then things can go wrong but he is a good character, a great boy and will be very important for the club in the future, in fact he is already.
“I have played him in a couple of positions in pre-season to get to know him better and he is a leader.
“He leads not only in games but training sessions. We definitely see him as someone who can be one of the captains for this club.”
Brennan looks likely to return in defence but it’s a tough selection for Jardim.
Cameron Evans scored the opener against Crewe but there is a strong argument for Matt Baker, who scored the winner, moving from central defender to right-back.
County fielded a back four of Baker, Brennan, Kyle Jameson and Anthony Glennon in the EFL Trophy win against West Ham Under-21s.
“Throughout my career I have just wanted to play, I don’t care where,” said Baker, who has also slotted in as a sitting midfielder at times.
“I have my preferred positions but if I can do a job elsewhere then I will. If I can fill in when someone is injured or unavailable then I am happy to do that.
“I haven’t played right-back too many times but it’s similar to playing on the right side of a three. I still have stuff to learn when playing there but I do enjoy it.”
County will hope that captain Aaron Wildig is fit to face Salford after he suffered a back spasm against Crewe, a problem that he also had last season.
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