Spellman set for Newport debut as Wildig returns

Michael Spellman came through the ranks at Newcastle United and Sunderland

Former Sunderland winger Michael Spellman is in line for a belated Newport County debut against highly fancied Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Newport are also poised to welcome the return of team captain Aaron Wildig from concussion as the Exiles look to arrest a slide of three consecutive League Two defeats.

Spellman, who was on the books of Newcastle United as a schoolboy, suffered a thigh injury a week before the season kicked off.

But he is set to feature in the match-day squad this weekend at Rodney Parade for the first time since arriving from Sunderland.

“You can see the way he trained this week he's just so happy to be out with the boys on the grass," said head coach Nelson Jardim.

Spellman is likely to start on the bench against Crewe as Newport manage his return but Jardim is excited by the additional option of the 22-year-old.

“He's a good character and we are lucky to have such a good left footer," he said.

“His crosses and set play deliveries are class, probably one of the best, if not the best, we have in the club.”

Captain Wildig is expected to get the all-clear to play after missing Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Barrow.

Without injured club captain James Clarke and defender Ciaran Brennan serving the last game of a three-match suspension, Wildig is the club’s top scorer with three goals and adds valuable experience to a young squad.

“We're looking forward to having him back. He's been important in scoring goals and leading the young boys on the pitch," said Jarmin.

Crewe reached the play-offs last season and are seven places above Newport in seventh position, having lost just one of their last seven league and cup games.

Meanwhile Jardim hopes the Newport’s injury problems will ease significantly in the next fortnight with defender Clarke, Joe Thomas and midfielder Kai Whitmore nearing returns.