NEWPORT County AFC defender Matt Baker suffered double disappointment when captaining Wales Under-21s as goalkeeper Nick Townsend shipped five goals for the second time in four days.

The Exiles will have to assess the pair when they return from international duty with the short turnaround to Friday's home League Two clash with Chesterfield a factor in their involvement.

Townsend and Baker have been key figures this season but their preparations for the Rodney Parade meeting with the Spireites will be minimal.

Versatile defender Baker captained Wales Under-21s in their 4-2 friendly defeat in Slovakia, playing the full 90 minutes in Dunajska Streda.

Oldham midfielder Oli Hammond’s second international goal had given Wales the lead in the 14th minute, smashing home after the goalkeeper had deflected Cameron Congreve’s cross into his path.

However, when Wales goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin dropped a shot Marek Ujlaky headed home the equaliser and two more goals either side of the interval from Roman Cerepkai and Tadeas Hajovsky saw Wales trail 3-1.

Josh Farrell reacted quickest to volley home from close range after Congreve’s 60th-minute corner bounced off an opponent, but Slovakia restored their two-goal advantage 15 minutes from time through Nino Marcelli.

Baker, 21, also played in the costly 2-1 loss to Czech Republic last Friday, with the Czechs then winning 3-0 against Lithuania to pip Matty Jones’ side to second place in Group I behind Denmark and a spot in the play-offs.

Townsend also played the full 90 minutes for Antigua and Barbuda in their Concacaf Nations League fixture against Dominican Republic.

The second fixture in the double-header in Bermuda finished with the same scoreline as the first - Dominican Republic ran out 5-0 winners when firing 25 shots at Townsend's goal.

County gave a League Two debut to Townsend’s understudy Jacob Carney at Harrogate last weekend with the novice goalkeeper making a costly mistake when dropping a cross for the only goal of the game.

Baker has been a firm fixture in the matchday squad this season but the Exiles are in a strong position in defence thanks to the return to fitness of co-captain James Clarke.

Left-back Anthony Glennon missed the Harrogate game due to suspension but is available for the game against Chesterfield.

The fixture has been moved to Friday night (kick-off 8pm) to avoid a clash with the Dragons’ home fixture against Benetton on Saturday, with the game also shown live on Sky Sports +.