THERE will be sighs of relief that Newport County AFC won’t come up against chief tormentor Jodi Jones at Meadow Lane on Saturday lunchtime but they still face a serious examination at Notts County.
The League Two player of the year for 2023/24 is currently sidelined with a fractured shin and that means he won’t be able to make it three man of the match displays on the spin in the meetings between the sides.
Jones caused mayhem in the East Midlands last season when he created two goals in a 3-0 win that could have been much heavier.
The Malta international then repeated the trick at Rodney Parade when the Magpies won 3-1, a scoreline that doesn’t truly reflect their dominance.
The Exiles travel to Nottingham buoyed by a solid display in a goalless draw against Grimsby, when they really should have claimed all three points in Newport.
Kyle Hudlin had a penalty saved, Michael Spellman was denied by a terrific stop and Courtney Baker-Richardson couldn’t drag in a close-range shot at the death.
It’s unlikely that Nelson Jardim will make many changes to his side for Meadow Lane (kick-off 12.30pm), or his formation despite the Magpies’ qualities.
However, captain Aaron Wildig has suffered an injury hammer blow after rupturing knee ligaments against Grimsby.
With Jamie Miley and Noah Mawene also sidelined, that could lead to a big chance for Cameron Antwi after a slow start to life in Newport following his summer move from Cardiff.
Winger Bobby Kamwa also limped off against Grimsby with Spellman his most likely replacement if the blow is serious, with a detailed injury update likely at Jardim’s Friday press conference.
Possible County XI: Townsend, C Evans, Brennan, Baker, McLoughlin, Morris (captain), Antwi, K Evans, Whitmore, Spellman, Hudlin.
THE OPPOSITION
The Magpies’ seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions was ended at promotion rivals Crewe last weekend.
They lost 2-0 after boss Stuart Maynard tinkered with his formation due to a number of absentees, most notably top scorer Alassana Jatta because of international duty with Gambia.
He has struck seven times in the league this season while David McGoldrick has scored six times for a side who are likely to dominate possession and rack up the passes.
The Magpies are sixth in the table and the early kick-off means they will go second with victory over the Exiles.
EXILES STATS
Leading scorer: Aaron Wildig and Kyle Hudlin (4).
Most assists: Anthony Glennon (4).
League position: 15th (20 points from 16 games).
Form guide: LLWDLD.
NOTTS STATS
Leading scorer: Alassana Jatta (7).
Most assists: Dan Crowley and Jodi Jones (3).
League position: Sixth (27 points from 16 games).
Form guide: DWDWDL.
MATCH ODDS
Notts 2/5, draw 10/3, Exiles 19/4.
LAST TIME
The trip to Meadow Lane in October 2023 was a grim one.
County were comprehensively outplayed with the Magpies winning 3-0 thanks to a double by Macauley Langstaff and Dan Crowley’s opener.
A nightmare evening was compounded by promising defender Josh Seberry suffering a broken right fibula when he got his foot caught in the turf while sliding to make an interception.
Just four players from that night – Nick Townsend, Matt Baker, Shane McLoughlin and Bryn Morris – are likely to feature on the return to Nottingham.
League Two fixtures
Friday - Cheltenham v Tranmere; Saturday - Grimsby v Colchester, Notts County v Newport County (both 12.30pm), AFC Wimbledon v Walsall, Bradford v Accrington, Carlisle v Doncaster, Chesterfield v Barrow, Fleetwood v MK Dons, Gillingham v Harrogate, Salford v Bromley, Swindon v Morecambe; Monday - Port Vale v Crewe.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here