Can Newport County stick with winning team versus Fleetwood?

The Exiles aim to back up their excellent 2-0 win at Gillingham when they host the Cod Army, but they had to dig deep for victory in Kent.

County were forced into a half-time change when midfielder Bryn Morris came off while Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley did well to last 65 minutes on his first appearance since a September injury that required a hernia operation.

INFLUENTIAL: Left-sided Anthony Glennon is County's leader for assists and played in a forward role in midweek (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

Anthony Glennon performed strongly in a more attacking role down the left but seemed to pull up short after a late foray and came off for the closing stages.

The squad will be assessed but if head coach Jardim is forced to tinker with his line-up then he has options.

Kai Whitmore could add snap to midfield after a pair of lively cameos while winger Michael Spellman continues to push for a first start down the left.

County kept their second clean sheet of the League Two campaign at Gillingham and the unit will hope to go again while Bobby Kamwa must build on a strong performance after winning the free-kick that set up Matt Baker’s volleyed opener and then crossing for Kyle Hudlin’s fine finish.

The winger was moved to the right and there was a more balanced look to his partnership with defender Baker rather than the combination with Glennon, who could be left too exposed in defence.

Jardim might have to be cautious with some players who emptied the tank in Gillingham and then had a long journey back.

The boss has some big calls to make but it also in a position where he can name a strong bench, with influential full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin nearing a return from a knee injury.

Possible County XI: Townsend, Baker, Brennan, Jameson, C Evans, Miley, Wildig (captain), Kamwa, Whitmore, Glennon, Hudlin.

DANGERMAN: Fleetwood Town's Ronan Coughlan (left) is an attacking threat (Image: Nick Potts)

THE OPPOSITION

Fleetwood are one spot below County in the table, but have two games in hand on the Exiles.

The Cod Army have made a strong start to their bid to bounce back from relegation but head to Rodney Parade after defeats to leaders Port Vale and last season's beaten play-off finalists Crewe.

Charlie Adam's side are ranked seventh for goals per match (1.5) and 11th for goals conceded (1.2); they are eighth for expected goals (16.5) and sixth for big chances created (27).

They have been pretty good travellers in League Two so far with a draw at Notts County and wins against Carlisle, Cheltenham and Walsall, with the trip to the Bescot an eye-catching 6-2 success.

COUNTY STATS

Leading scorer: Aaron Wildig (4).

Most assists: Antony Glennon (4).

League position: 13th (18 points).

Form guide: WWLLLW.

FLEETWOOD STATS

Leading scorer: Ronan Coughlan (4).

Most assists: Ryan Graydon (4).

League position: 14th (16 points).

Form guide: DWWDLL.

MATCH ODDS

County 12/5, draw 23/10, Fleetwood 19/20.

LAST TIME

County have only played the Cod Army in one season, their first back in the Football League.

They lost 4-1 when the sides met in Lancashire when Robbie Willmott was sent off for handball in the third minute.

Steven Schumacher scored a hat-trick, two of them penalties, and Justin Edinburgh raged about the performance of referee Andy Haines.

The spoils were shared later in the campaign when it was a goalless draw.

League Two fixtures

Colchester v Salford, Morecambe v Chesterfield (both 12.30pm), Accrington v Walsall, Bradford v Doncaster, Bromley v Barrow, Carlisle v Cheltenham, Crewe v Tranmere, Grimsby v MK Dons, Newport County v Fleetwood, Notts County v Harrogate, Port Vale v Wimbledon, Swindon v Gillingham.