GOALKEEPER Nick Townsend has turned down a call-up by Antigua & Barbuda to stay with Newport County AFC for League Two.

The 30-year-old was invited to add to his caps in the Concacaf Nations League fixtures against Bermuda and on Saturday and against Dominica three days later.

However, Townsend has this time opted against head to the Caribbean and will stay for this weekend’s League Two encounter with Grimsby at Rodney Parade and to ensure his preparation isn’t frantic for the trip to Notts County the following Saturday.

“Nick has decided not to go this time,” said head coach Nelson Jardim. “He has done this before and we always leave it down to him, but it’s good for the team.”

The County stalwart won his 10th and 11th caps last month when playing in a pair of 5-0 defeats to the Dominican Republic, producing a string of saves for his country.

His absence meant that deputy Jacob Carney was in goal for the Exiles’ fixture at Harrogate and the inexperienced stopper made a costly mistake, dropping a routine cross to allow the Sulphurites to score the only goal of the game.

STAYING: County goalkeeper Nick TownsendSTAYING: County goalkeeper Nick Townsend (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Not only that, Townsend rushed back for a Friday night fixture against Chesterfield and produced an uncharacteristically sloppy performance; a mix-up with centre-back Kyle Jameson allowed the visitors to lead inside the first minute.

The number one is set to start against Grimsby at the weekend but Carney is likely to get another chance when the Exiles travel to Reading in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night (kick-off 7pm).

The winner in Berkshire, whether in the 90 minutes or from a penalty shootout if it’s level, will progress to the knockout stages as runners-up to Cheltenham and earn an away tie.

After Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Tranmere, Jardim is poised to tinker with the line-up but will still travel with a strong side.

“We want to go through,” he said. “The first game against Cheltenham we had one of our best halves but then we had Jacob’s sending off, which changed the game and we ended up losing.

“That has put us in the position where we have to win this game to go as far as possible in this competition.

“We will put a strong side out because we want consistency and momentum while also resting one or two.”

Jameson can play against Reading with his suspension for two bookings at Tranmere counting in League Two fixtures.

CONTENDER: Shane McLoughlin is working towards full fitnessCONTENDER: Shane McLoughlin is working towards full fitness (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin could work towards full fitness after returning from a knee injury with a brief cameo in the closing stages at Prenton Park.

Fringe figures, such as forward Luke Jephcott, might also get a chance to stake a claim for league action.

“We want to see what type of level some others are at, not only tactically but physically,” said Jardim.

“Football is ruthless and they have to take their chances, they need to show in these games that they are up to it, committed and focused with enthusiasm and energy. They have to show that again and again.”