How Newport County could line up at Tranmere in League Two

The Exiles showed no signs of travel sickness when they beat Gillingham 2-0 at Priestfield Stadium last month for only their second away win under Nelson Jardim.

They followed that up with another clean sheet when sharing the spoils with Fleetwood at Rodney Parade but were then outclassed by League One Peterborough in the FA Cup, beaten 4-2 despite going 2-0 up in a dream start.

County now face a key month in their bid to stay well above the strugglers to allow them to be ambitious and to press on with the desired change of style.

Head coach Jardim must be tempted to stick with the back four that kept clean sheets against Gillingham and Fleetwood, with co-captain James Clarke likely to be on the bench along with fit-again Shane McLoughlin.

Whether at right-back, left-back or midfield, the Irishman is a shoo-in for the XI when fully sharp, but he hasn’t played since September 7 and his game time will be capped.

RECALL: Captain Aaron Wildig is likely to return to the XI in County's midfield (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

The central midfield trio – presuming it’s a return to 4-5-1 – will provide a welcome headache if Bryn Morris is declared fit after sitting out the cup defeat.

His return would mean it’s three from the four leading contenders of Morris, captain Aaron Wildig and the young duo of Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley and energetic summer signing from Haverfordwest Kai Whitmore.

Illness meant Bobby Kamwa was a sub against the Posh and he will hope to return to the XI for either Anthony Glennon on the left or Kieron Evans on the right.

County possible XI: Townsend, Baker, Brennan, Jameson, C Evans, Morris, Wildig, Kamwa, Whitmore, Glennon, Hudlin.

THE OPPOSITION

Hopes were high for Tranmere but they have endured a disappointing start to the season to sit 19th on 14 points, five behind the Exiles and just six above the relegation zone.

They have been hit by the loss of Blackpool loanee Rob Apter, a winger who tormented County at Rodney Parade in the run-in last season.

Omari Patrick is their danger man with four goals in League Two since his summer arrival from Sutton but Tranmere are ranked last in the division for goals per game and big chances created.

Former County favourite Cameron Norman has been as reliable at Prenton Park as he was at Rodney Parade after his switch from MK Dons – the right-back/central defender has featured in 17 of 18 games.

However, Declan Drysdale’s injury misfortune has followed him back home to Birkenhead. The central defender earned a deal after being on trial after being released by County but is yet to feature.

COUNTY STATS

Leading scorer: Aaron Wildig (4).

Most assists: Antony Glennon (4).

League position: 14th (19 points).

Form guide: WLLLWD.

THREAT: Tranmere forward Omari Patrick (Image: Nick Potts)

TRANMERE STATS

Leading scorer: Omari Patrick (4).

Most assists: Six players on one.

League position: 19th (14 points).

Form guide: DDLWLL.

MATCH ODDS

Tranmere 4/6, draw 13/5, County 10/3.

LAST TIME

Tranmere did the double over County last season after the Exiles had done the same for the previous two campaigns.

Rovers took the spoils 2-1 on both occasions and in blustery Birkenhead fought back from being a goal down at half-time to a superb Will Evans strike.

The hosts levelled through a deflected Kieron Evans shot and stole the spoils in the 88th minute when Connor Jennings, the Wembley winner when the sides met in the play-off final in 2019, scored from close range.

County won 1-0 at Prenton Park in August, 2021 thanks to an Alex Fisher goal and 3-1 in March, 2023 after efforts by Aaron Wildig, Charlie McNeill and Calum Kavanagh.

League Two fixtures

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