Newport's Tzanev gets New Zealand call-up

Newport County goalkeeper Nik Tzanev has been called up by New Zealand for their October friendlies against Poland and Norway.

The 28-year-old has been selected in the squad along with fellow stoppers Max Crocombe of Millwall and Alex Paulsen, who is at Polish side Lechia Gdansk on loan from Bournemouth.

Tzanev sat out the Soccer Ashes against Australia in September to establish himself in Newport after his summer move from Northampton Town.

The All Whites face Poland on Thursday, 9 October in Chorzow and Norway on Tuesday, 14 October in Oslo.

Newport face Cardiff City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, 7 October and then travel to Accrington Stanley in League Two on Saturday, 11 October.

Tzanev has started in 11 of 13 fixtures so far but his international call-up could open the door for fellow summer signing Jordan Wright, who impressed in August's 1-0 defeat to Millwall in the Carabao Cup.

David Hughes' side are 22nd in the table and are out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Newport host second-placed Swindon Town at Rodney Parade on Saturday (12:30 BST).