League Two: Newport County's possible line-up for Harrogate

The Exiles suffered a 3-1 defeat at Bradford City on Monday evening and Anthony Glennon was booked for the fifth time in 10 games in the first half.

The summer signing from Grimsby – the only specialist left-back in the squad – is now suspended for the fixture at Wetherby Road.

Shane McLoughlin would have been leading candidate to switch over but the right-back is on the comeback trail from a knee injury.

Cameron Evans filled in down the left in pre-season but is currently needed on his more natural right due to the absence of McLoughlin and Matt Baker, who is on Wales Under-21s duty.

It leaves Kyle Jameson, a centre-back by trade, as a front-runner to fill in as a physical full-back.

Head coach Nelson Jardim could pair fit-again James Clarke, who was an unused substitute at Valley Parade, with Ciaran Brennan in a flat four with Evans on the right and Jameson on the left.

MOVE? Kyle Jameson is one of County's options at left-back at Harrogate (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

It’s not completely unfamiliar territory for the former Oldham and Tranmere defender.

Jardim’s predecessor Graham Coughlan said after signing Jameson: “He is versatile and can fill a number of positions – with his physique and mobility he can play left wing-back or left-back as well.”

Technically another option would be to start with Josh Seberry at right-back, where he played before a broken leg last season, with Evans switching sides.

However, given the Irishman did not feature when there was a serious crisis at the back this is a selection that looks highly unlikely.

Another change that Jardim might mull over is the inclusion of winger Michael Spellman, who missed the start of the campaign with a thigh injury.

The summer signing has featured off the bench against Crewe, Salford (when he scored with his first touch) and is Bradford.

The 22-year-old former Sunderland man is pushing for a start, although it would be a big call to leave out either Kieron Evans or Bobby Kamwa.

Glennon’s suspension means that goalkeeper Nick Townsend is now the only player still able to match Bryn Morris' feat from last season of starting every League Two fixture.

Midfielder Cameron Antwi, winger Bobby Kamwa and striker Courtney Baker-Richardson have featured in all 10 but have had appearances off the bench.

Possible County XI: Townsend, C Evans, Clarke, Brennan, Jameson, Morris, Mawene, K Evans, Wildig (captain), Kamwa, Hudlin.

Harrogate will aim to get back to winning ways against Newport County (Image: Nick Potts)

THE OPPOSITION

Harrogate are four points back on County with a record of three wins, two draws and five defeats.

They were battered 5-1 by Milton Keynes Dons last time out on home soil but responded with a goalless draw at Swindon.

Two of their three successes have been in Yorkshire derbies against more-fancied county rivals Doncaster and Bradford with the other win at Colchester 1-0.

COUNTY STATS

Leading scorer: Aaron Wildig (4).

Most assists: Antony Glennon (3).

League position: 10th (15pts).

Form guide:LLLWWL.

HARROGATE STATS

Leading scorer: Ellis Taylor (3).

Most assists: James Daly, Toby Sims (both 2).

League position: 18th (11pts).

Form guide: LWLWLD.

MATCH ODDS

Harrogate 1/1, draw 9/4. County 23/10.

FINISH: Offrande Zanzala scores County's second in their 4-1 win at Harrogate last season (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

LAST TIME

County were turned over 2-1 by Harrogate at Rodney Parade last season at the start of October when George Thomson and Anthony O'Connor put the visitors two goals in front.

Will Evans got Graham Coughlan's side back into it from close range and then Aaron Wildig headed against the inside of the post.

The return fixture in February was one of the Exiles’ high points of the campaign with Evans, from the spot, and Offrande Zanzala scoring in the first half.

Zanzala struck from close range soon after the restart and then Seb Palmer-Houlden scored a cracker, with Thomson grabbing a consolation.

Saturday League Two fixtures

Chesterfield v Notts County (12.30pm), AFC Wimbledon v Carlisle, Barrow v Morecambe, Cheltenham v Swindon, Doncaster v Crewe, Gillingham v Accrington, Harrogate v Newport County, Milton Keynes Dons v Port Vale, Salford v Grimsby, Tranmere v Bradford.