Newport new boys pulling out the stops

Newport County hope to profit from a fierce battle to get the gloves thanks to two summer signings grasping their chances.

Stalwart Nick Townsend left the Exiles for ambitious National League club Eastleigh in June and the club then opted to bring in two senior goalkeepers, Nik Tsanev from Northampton and Jordan Wright from Grimsby.

Tsanev, 28, got the nod for the first three games of the campaign and caught the eye with a string of fine stops against Barnet, Notts County and Crawley.

Wright, 26, responded on his debut in the 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Millwall on Tuesday when he pulled off three super saves to prevent the Championship club from rubber-stamping victory.

Newport have traditionally had tussles to be between the sticks with Townsend, Joe Day and Tom King thriving from competition.

However, Townsend started 43 of 46 league games in his last two seasons with the club, with Jonny Maxted and Jacob Carney failing to put the pressure on.

Manager David Hughes has a tough call to make for Saturday's League Two trip to Grimsby Town (15:00 BST).

"If you've got a number one, is there a challenge that they will be complacent when knowing they are going to play? Possibly," said Hughes.

"What we have got is two goalkeepers and a coach in Lee Kendall who works them really well.

"Jordan and Nik are two outstanding professionals who train really, really well every day. They are consistently looking at feedback on areas where they can add to their game.

"On Tuesday night Jordan got his opportunity after being patient for a couple of games and was excellent, making two or three outstanding saves and showed good composure with the ball at his feet.

"Maybe I should have given Nik more praise than I have done because he's just had a presence, similar to Jordan, and that was something that we discussed."

Wright will hope to get the nod on his return to Blundell Park, where he kept a clean sheet when Grimsby beat Newport 1-0 in March.

Tsanev appears to have inched in front but the New Zealand international is set to miss the 6 September derby against Bristol Rovers due to international fixtures against Australia.

October friendlies against Poland and Norway clash with Newport's EFL Trophy game against Cardiff City and a trip to Accrington.