Newport blow as striker Kargbo faces surgery

Hamzad Kargbo played in pre-season games against Pontypridd United, Kidderminster Harriers, Bristol Rovers and Hereford during his trial

Newport County striker Hamzad Kargbo is facing surgery which would sideline him for three months.

The former Queens Park Rangers player dislocated his shoulder in a four-minute substitute appearance in Newport’s 3-2 opening day League Two defeat at Cheltenham Town.

Newport head coach Nelson Jardim says the “wise decision” will be for Kargbo to have surgery as soon as possible.

“He has had his tests and we now have to make a decision on whether he goes through surgery or not. That will be made shortly," said Jardim.

“If he goes for surgery we expect him to be back in three months. If he does not go for surgery he is going to be out for four weeks, but that could happen again."

Kargbo is a potential replacement for last season's top scorer Will Evans who left earlier this month to join League One side Mansfield Town.

But Jardim is prepared to be without the 6ft 4in targetman until November, adding: “The wise decision will be for surgery now and then we are sure he is back in three months and is good to go.”

It is a heavy blow for former Southend player Kargbo, who earned a Newport contract days before the season started after a successful trial.

His departure from the field at Cheltenham reduced Newport to 10 men for the closing minutes of the game, in which Cardiff City loanee Joel Colwill netted an injury-time winner.

“It is very disappointing for him, he is a nice person and he works hard," said Jardim.

“When I did give him a chance in that game and he makes a huge impression, I thought ‘wow we have something here’. Then we have to play six minutes without him and that period is when we conceded a goal.

"I felt so unlucky for him and for us as a squad. We lost that game and we have probably lost him for a few months.”

Newport have other injury concerns as they look to earn their first points of the season against highly fancied Doncaster Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Striker Oliver Greaves, who marked his bow with a goal at Cheltenham, is a slight worry.

Midfielder Bryn Morris will have to wait for his first appearance of the campaign as he is still out with a foot injury. He should be available for the home game with Accrington Stanley on Saturday, 24 August.

Winger Michael Spellman could also be available to make his Newport debut against Accrington after injury.