NEWPORT County AFC will be without midfielder Noah Mawene until December because of a hamstring injury.

The Preston prospect suffered the blow shortly after coming off the bench in the 3-0 League Two defeat to Chesterfield last Friday.

The 19-year-old, who has made nine appearances after arriving on a season-long loan, was brought on after an hour but limped off just seven minutes later shortly after one lively break down the wing.

Mawene will now target a return to action in the build-up to the hectic festive period.

“Unfortunately the scan didn’t come with good news, he will be out for at least six weeks,” said head coach Nelson Jardim ahead of Saturday's clash with Fleetwood in Newport.

“It’s something that we were not expecting and it’s a big negative but we have to deal with it and give our support to Noah.

BLOW: Newport County midfielder Noah Mawene has suffered a hamstring injuryBLOW: Newport County midfielder Noah Mawene has suffered a hamstring injury (Image: Lewis Mitchell/Huw Evans Agency)

“He has been an important player for us and was coming through and playing very well, it’s just unfortunate that he had that injury when we were trying to manage his fitness.

“This league is tough with different demands and he was a little bit fatigued after Harrogate when he had to come off.

“That’s why we didn’t start him against Chesterfield, we were trying to protect him but we needed him for that 20 to 25 minutes.

“We felt that it would be easy enough for him to get through but then that injury happened. It’s a pity but I am sure he will come back stronger.”

County will also assess fellow midfielder Bryn Morris after he came off at half-time in Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Gillingham because of a knock.

“It was nothing major but sometimes you have to make big decisions,” said Jardim. “At 2-0 at half-time we knew the second half would be tough but we could not afford to lose a player like Bryn [for the long-term] as well.

“It proved to be a good decision because we saved the player while we also managed to win the game.”

Morris was replaced by Kai Whitmore and the summer signing from Haverfordwest would be the leading candidate to come into the XI after a pair of lively second-half appearances on his return from a calf injury.

Full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin is still not in the mix after a knee injury suffered at the start of September.

The Irishman could return in mid-November with County erring on the side of caution given his importance to the side.