Newport relief over McLoughlin - but keeper out again

Newport County manager Nelson Jardim has admitted his relief after influential defender Shane McLoughlin was told he has avoided an injury lay-off.

But the Exiles look set to again be without number one goalkeeper Nick Townsend as they head to League Two promotion hopefuls Port Vale this weekend.

Jardim says McLoughlin will be fit for the trip to Darren Moore's fourth-placed side, despite prompting worries when he hobbled off in County's last outing, a 2-1 home defeat by AFC Wimbledon at the start of the month.

It was feared he had suffered a recurrence of the knee problem that saw him miss two months of action earlier in the season.

But Jardim revealed the 27-year-old has been given the green-light to be involved, saying: "He was the big worry but it went positively; he has trained with us the last few days and will be fit."

McLoughlin damaged cartilage and came close to a major injury with a hyperextension of the knee back in September.

"It is a big relief because it was a worry and he did have a bit of a problem but he and the medical department did a good job in the first week and we were lucky enough to have him back in training - and now he's good to go," added Jardim.

Townsend, though, is unlikely to make the journey to Vale Park where Newport are looking to avoid a run of three straight defeats.

"Nick is still struggling with a knee problem," said Jardim. "He's made a lot of improvements. He had a lot of swelling, so they've drained some of the fluid and had the treatment he needed. Things are progressing well, he did have a session on Thursday; we're now seeing how he is afterwards but he's unlikely to be fit."

Former Manchester United youngster Jacob Carney deputised for Townsend against Wimbledon, but Wales Under-21 international Lewis Webb could yet be handed a first EFL start since signing last month.

And, with frontman Courtney Baker-Richardson not expected back until the visit of Swindon next week, Newport will wait to see if the loan signing of Peterborough winger David Ajiboye has been cleared in time to be involved.