A MONTH ago, Newport County AFC had to get creative in defence due to a long list of absentees but against Chesterfield they will be spoilt for choice.
The Exiles entertain the Spireites in League Two on Friday night (kick-off 8pm) with the aim of getting back to winning ways after a pair of defeats in Yorkshire.
Their performance was encouraging when beaten 3-1 at Bradford after a pair of late Bantams strikes but it was deflating at Harrogate when the hosts won a dour game 1-0.
One positive from Wetherby Road was the return of co-captain James Clarke after injury and he is one of a glut of options for head coach Nelson Jardim.
The boss, who was down to the bare bones when fielding midfielder Bryn Morris at the back in the 4-0 humiliation at Swindon in mid-September, will be telling some strong defenders that they will have to settle for places on the bench.
All four senior central defenders – Clarke, Kyle Jameson, Matt Baker and Ciaran Brennan – are available while Anthony Glennon is back from suspension at left-back.
Clarke and Jameson were paired together at Harrogate with Brennan shifted to right-back and Cameron Evans moved to the left.
Baker is back from Wales Under-21s duty but may have to be content with a place on the bench after having limited preparation time.
Evans could go back to his more natural right with left-footed Glennon providing some much-needed balance.
“He gives a little bit more attacking threat and can put boxes in the box,” said Jardim about the summer arrival from Grimsby.
“We lacked that at Harrogate, but it’s not just what he does in the final third, it’s the middle third and the way that he has improved massively in the defensive third.”
County could also change things up down the wings in attack with Michael Spellman pushing hard for a first start since returning from a thigh injury.
Bobby Kamwa endured a frustrating afternoon in Harrogate and an option would be to unleash the livewire forward to add energy in the closing stages.
Midfielder Noah Mawene limped off in Harrogate but Jardim reported no fresh injury concerns, with Cameron Antwi and Kai Whitmore other options in the middle of the park.
Possible County XI: Townsend, C Evans, Clarke, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Mawene, K Evans, Wildig (captain), Spellman, Hudlin.
THE OPPOSITION
Chesterfield have made a steady start to life back in the EFL with the National League champions on the same amount of points as County.
The Spireites were denied a derby win against Notts County last time out when they conceded a penalty in added time, which goalkeeper Max Thompson saved only for David McGoldrick to knock in the rebound to make it 2-2.
Chesterfield are unbeaten in five games but have had to settle for a share of the spoils four times with their solitary victory an impressive one at Doncaster.
The visitors are without Tom Naylor through suspension after the defender/midfielder – who played 40 times on loan at County in 2013/14 - picked up his fifth booking of the campaign against Notts.
COUNTY STATS
Leading scorer: Aaron Wildig (4).
Most assists: Antony Glennon (3).
League position: 13th (15 points) Form guide: LLWWLL.
CHESTERFIELD STATS
Leading scorer: James Berry (5).
Most assists: Tom Naylor (4).
League position: 12th (15 points) Form guide: LDWDDD.
MATCH ODDS
County 16/5, draw 11/4, Chesterfield 4/6
LAST TIME
Already-relegated Chesterfield beat County 1-0 in May, 2018 when now England and Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale kept a clean sheet for the Spireites and Kristian Dennis scored the winner in the 71st minute.
County had dished out a 4-1 hammering at the start of the season in Newport thanks to a Frank Nouble hat-trick and a clincher from Padraig Amond.
Weekend League Two fixtures
Friday - Newport County v Chesterfield, Saturday - Accrington v Barrow (12.30pm), Bradford v Gillingham, Bromley v Tranmere, Carlisle v Harrogate, Colchester v Cheltenham, Crewe v Salford, Grimsby v Walsall, Morecambe v MK Dons, Notts County v Wimbledon, Port Vale v Fleetwood, Swindon v Doncaster.
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