Newport County

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Newport County hope their first win in eight games will come at Colchester United on Saturday - despite a pretty uninspiring record in that corner of south-east England.

County haven't won since their trip to Kent on 22 October, when goals from Kyle Hudlin and Matt Baker gave them an impressive 2-0 win at Gillingham in League Two.

They've since lost three games - including one in the FA Cup and one in the EFL Trophy - and drawn four.

And fans planning to follow the Exiles to Essex this weekend might travel more in hope than expectation given that modern-day County have only won once at Colchester in eight attempts.

That sole victory came in March 2021, goals from Joss Labadie and Padraig Amond giving Mike Flynn's Newport a 2-0 win to complete the double over The U's.

All of Newport's other trips to Colchester since 2016-17 have resulted in draws or losses, including a 2-1 defeat in March during the eight-match losing run that brought the 2023-24 campaign to a dismal end.

But Newport will be encouraged by performances in recent games, especially coming back from 2-0 down to earn a point at AFC Wimbledon on 3 December.

County have drawn their last three League Two matches, all of which have been against opponents who are currently in the top nine of the table.

Newport return to action at Colchester after Saturday's game with Carlisle United at Rodney Parade was postponed due to concerns over Storm Darragh.

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Midfielder Kieron Evans says he is encouraged that Cardiff City boss Omer Riza has been in touch during his loan spell at Newport County.

Evans is on a season-long loan at Rodney Parade after signing a new one-year deal with the Bluebirds in the summer.

The 22-year-old has made 10 League Two starts for County, and Riza - now Cardiff's permanent manager until the end of the season - has been keeping tabs on him.

"I've spoken to Omer, he's been in contact a few times," said Evans.

"I had a good relationship with him anyway when I was at Cardiff. It's nice to hear him asking me how I'm doing and stuff like that.

"He's a good bloke, keeping an eye on me to see how I'm doing."

Brithdir-product Evans played on loan at National League outfit Gateshead last season, having previously had a spell at Torquay United. He has five league appearances to his name for the Bluebirds.

He made a second-half substitute's appearance in Cardiff's 2-0 Carabao Cup first-round win over Bristol Rovers in August.

He says it is too early to predict where he will be playing his football next season.

"I signed a new deal at Cardiff at the start of the season. I've got to be respectful of Cardiff," he said.

"All I'm focussing now is playing as many games as I can for Newport, and we'll see what happens at the end of the season."

Evans, usually a wide midfielder, has been playing in a deeper role for County in the past couple of games, in the absence of injured co-captain Aaron Wildig.

"The gaffer has put me as like a [number] six, which I'm happy to do for the team," said Evans.

"I've not played there much before. I've played more like a number 10 if anything, but I can play deep.

"I wish I could get forward a bit more, but I don't really mind it."

Luca Muzzupappa
BBC Sport Wales

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Shane McLoughlin says momentum is on Newport County's side after their last-gasp draw at AFC Wimbledon.

McLoughlin captained the Exiles to a 2-2 comeback draw at Wimbledon in midweek, scoring a penalty in added time to ensure the points were shared.

Defender McLoughlin says he relished the chance to salvage a point for his team, despite Newport's recent spot-kick troubles.

Bryn Morris and Kyle Hudlin have both missed penalties this season, in home stalemates against Fleetwood Town and Grimsby Town.

"I was looking forward to it," McLoughlin said.

"We've missed a few this season so I said I was going to go next. I was confident I was going to put it away."

Newport have drawn their last three League Two matches, all of which have been against opponents who are currently in the top eight of the table.

The Exiles sit 16th, but McLoughlin feels they can kick on from here.

"We're all together, all pushing in the same direction," he added.

"We feel like we need to keep getting stronger every week. In this league, if you can put some results together you don't know where it can take you. We're hoping to keep looking up and keep going up."

Newport return to action at Colchester United on Saturday, 14 December after today's League Two contest with Carlisle United at Rodney Parade was postponed due to concerns over Storm Darragh.

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Newport County striker Courtney Baker-Richardson is facing a spell on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The 29-year-old former Swansea City player missed Newport's 2-2 League Two draw at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Midfielder Aaron Wildig, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, is the only other player missing before the Exiles host Carlisle United on Saturday.

"Before that [Wimbledon] game, I didn't have a chance to say CBR [Baker-Richardson] had picked up an injury," said Newport head coach Nelson Jardim.

"He's got a muscle injury, the soleus [calf muscle]. And obviously there is Aaron Wildig. Only those two are now in the medical department."

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Nelson Jardim says he wants more from his current crop of Newport County players despite revealing the club have a "clear idea" on potential January transfer window activity.

The Exiles brought in striker Geoffroy Bony, son of former Manchester City and Swansea City player Wilfried, last week.

They could further bolster their squad next month, particularly with midfielder Aaron Wildig set to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

But Jardim says Newport must wait until closer to Christmas to have a clearer idea of whether or not they will need to be active in the winter window.

"I want more from the ones I've got at the moment and they know that," explained Jardim.

"Obviously you're always assessing what's happening, what type of injuries you've got and we've just had a bad one from Wildig. That makes you think in different areas of the pitch.

"We're also starting to assess what we've got at the moment but we still feel it's a little bit early.

"Towards the middle of December, we've got more games and we'll have a better idea of what we need.

"We are planning, we've got a clear idea of what the possibilities are. There's a lot of work in the background that we have to do and keep assessing - sometimes it's a day-by-day thing."

Luca Muzzupappa
BBC Sport Wales

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Head coach Nelson Jardim says there is more to come from youngsters Geoffroy Bony and Joe Thomas following their full League Two debuts for Newport County.

Forward Bony and defender Thomas were each given first league starts in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon.

Thomas arrived at the Exiles from Swansea City in the summer having never played a senior game for the Championship club.

Having made his first Newport appearance in the EFL Trophy at Reading last month, the 22-year-old came off the bench in the goalless draw Notts County last Saturday.

Bony, the son of ex-Swansea and Manchester City striker Wilfried, is another former Swans academy player.

He signed a deal with Newport last month having been released by Swansea in the summer.

Like Thomas, he made his league debut as a substitute at Notts County before being thrown in from the start against the Dons.

"We knew they both had to take time to come up this level," said Jardim.

"They are at a good level but we know there's much more to improve from them."

The Wimbledon draw was a third in succession for 16th-placed Newport.

Thomas and Bony will hope to keep their places when the Exiles return to action on Saturday with a home game against a Carlisle United side who are currently in the relegation zone.

"I think they know that [they need to improve], and they're not only knowing, they want to improve and that is the most important thing," Jardim added.

"I thought they did well because this was a big game for them."

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AFC Wimbledon are aiming to use Newport County as a chance to ease the “sting” of their FA Cup humbling.

The Dons were on the end of an upset in Saturday’s second round as they lost to National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.

The reward for the Daggers was a London derby with Championship Millwall in the third round, leaving Wimbledon to concentrate on their aims of League Two promotion – starting with the visit of the Exiles on Tuesday.

The Dons are in the fourth-tier play-off places in seventh, five points and nine places above Nelson Jardim’s Newport.

And Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson says they are keen to use the game to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat.

"It stings, we wanted to go through," said Jackson.

"But we have to park it really quickly because we have another game and that’s the bigger picture, what we’re doing in the league.

"We wanted to go as far as we could in the cup but we can’t dwell on it because we have another game and in the midst of a tough schedule and we have to win to try and make it easier to forget."

Jackson is dealing with injury problems for the Plough Lane fixture, saying his squad is "stretched really thin" with captain Jack Reeves and striker Myles Hippolyte among those missing.

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Nelson Jardim believes Newport County's improved defensive record can be attributed to his squad's grafting since he arrived at the club in the summer.

The Exiles kept just one clean sheet in their opening 12 League Two matches of the season.

But they head to Wimbledon on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT) having shut out their opponents in four of their previous five league matches - with only Tranmere Rovers scoring a League Two goal against Newport in that period.

And following what was a major overhaul at Rodney Parade over the summer, Jardim feels his side are now starting to benefit from having had more time together on the training ground.

"With all of these changes, there were a lot of things we had to work on," said Jardim.

"But that shows we've improved on that side of the game.

"We know that invincibility lies on the way that you defend. If you defend well you are hard to beat, we're trying to do that.

"That is down to the work that we've been doing and the effort that everyone is putting in."

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Newport boss Nelson Jardim says his side can take confidence from their hard-fought draw against promotion-chasing Notts County when they return to action on Tuesday.

County travel to face Wimbledon who currently occupy one of the League Two play-off spots.

Jardim hopes the goalless draw at Meadow Lane will boost his side as they seek a first victory since the 2-0 win over Gillingham on 22 October.

“Last week was a good point away to a very good side,” he said.

“We knew these run of games would be tough and especially those two games [Notts County and Wimbledon], but I think the performance from the last game gives us good confidence.

“We knew we were conceding too many goals but the last few results have shown we are improving in that side of our game."

Jardim recognises Johnnie Jackson's Wimbledon as “one of the main contenders in the division”.

“They have a strong squad and have a good system in place. They have a clear way of playing and make it hard for any team when you play against them," Jardim said.

"They’re one of the consistent teams in the league of late this season, but also last season too.

“We’re expecting them to be on the front foot, try and create a lot of problems, but it’s down to us to have a clear idea of what to do and how to stop them.”

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Joe Thomas has gone from Cymru South rookie to League Two player via a spell on the books at Swansea City.

In the wake of the "special moment" that was his EFL debut, Thomas says his stint with the Swans has played a central part in his journey to Newport County's first team.

The 22-year-old made his Exiles debut as a 62nd-minute substitute in Saturday's creditable goalless draw at Notts County.

He can now call himself a fully fledged EFL player, which has been the goal ever since he left Cambrian & Clydach Vale – now known as Cambrian United – for Swansea in January 2022.

"I'd only just gone up to the first team with Cambrian in the summer and by Christmas I signed for Swansea," Thomas explained.

"As a club, the way Swansea like to play has benefited me massively. Any team that wants to play like we are trying to play now… I have done that every day at Swansea for two-and-a-half years so that has helped me massively."

Thomas, who can play anywhere on the right flank, but his happiest at wing-back, joined up with Swansea's under-21 side, leaving in the summer without making a senior appearance for the Championship club.

He signed a two-year deal with Newport, though his start to life at Rodney Parade was not helped by an ankle injury.

But after making his first senior appearance in the EFL Trophy defeat at Reading earlier this month, Rhondda-born Thomas was given his big chance by head coach Nelson Jardim at Meadow Lane.

"I started in the cup game a couple of weeks back and I thought I played well," he said.

"I didn’t want to boost my ego or anything like that, but I thought hopefully I will get a chance in the league soon. Now that has come. It was a surreal moment, but I am really happy."

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Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim says he was made to feel old after giving a debut to new signing Geoffroy Bony in Saturday's goalless draw at Notts County.

The 19-year-old is the son of former Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony, who played for Manchester City, Swansea City and Stoke City.

And like his old man, Bony plays up front.

Bony spent several weeks training with the Exiles before signing a deal last week.

"He’s been working with us hard, he’s just a nice boy, and Geoff just shows how old I am getting," joked Jardim.

"When I heard our fans singing his dad’s song, it brought me good memories, very good memories indeed."

Asked how Bony Jr compared to his father, Jardim said: "He’s not even half [as good] yet, but it’s about progression and moving forwards.

"His dad was a different player obviously. He’s learned a lot off his dad, he’s got good genes and mainly he’s a very good boy. Wilfried has done a good job."

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Head coach Nelson Jardim says his Newport County side are "growing" and that there is more to come" from them.

County secured a good point away at League Two promotion chasers Notts County with a goalless draw on Saturday.

It was County’s second successive 0-0 draw and Jardim said: "We just have to keep making sure we keep building on this.

"It was another clean sheet and we’ve had a couple of them now.

"We’ve been criticised for not being consistent and compact but you can see these boys are working hard.

"It’s about us growing together and no matter who comes on they’re ready to perform and understand the ideas and philosophy that we want to play.

"We showed today that we are growing.

"Yes, we’re not at the level I think we should be yet but I can tell you there’s more to come."

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Newport County boss Nelson Jardim is facing a midfield injury crisis – but is determined to stick to the style he is looking to embed at the League Two outfit.

Newport will be without co-captain and joint top scorer Aaron Wildig, who is ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

But the Exiles will also again be without flying wide man Bobby Kamwa (hamstring) for Saturday’s tough encounter at Notts County, who are among the League Two play-off places in sixth.

Newport’s injuries do not stop there. Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley is still ruled out after suffering back spasms and fellow midfielder Noah Mawene, on loan from Preston, is a couple more weeks from returning after a hamstring injury.

Also on the Newport casualty list is left wing back Anthony Glennon who has a back complaint which Jardim says has been “tough to get rid of.”

Newport have won just one of their last seven league games. Their one victory in that run – a 2-0 triumph at Gillingham – was one of only two league wins on the road this season

Though Jardim fully respects Notts County, he was encouraged by the overall performance in last Saturday’s goalless home draw with Grimsby Town.

“I admire what we did last game at home, that’s what I was looking for. It’s important to know about the others but even more important to know about yourself," Jardim said.

“Yes Notts County are going to pose a lot of problems to us but we are expecting to pose a lot of problems to them.”

Jardim admitted he would have to make changes to account for the injuries and predicted a “new set up in terms of line-up.”

“We go there to compete and develop our idea of how the football should be played. We are not going to change on that way. We will have to utilise other players," Jardim added.

“When you change one or two, everything changes, but the main idea we still have clear in our heads as to the way moving forward.”

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Head coach Nelson Jardim has said Newport County will do all they can to nurse their stricken co-captain Aaron Wildig back to full health.

Jardim was "devastated" after Newport confirmed Wildig will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Wildig, 32, will soon have surgery also knowing his Newport contract expires at the end of this season.

According to Jardim, Wildig was feeling "a little bit down" but the Newport boss said: "Now it's up to us to help him.

"It's not good at his age to have that injury. He was sad and it's up to us to make him feel comfortable and positive moving forward."

Jardim said the contract situation would obviously play on the thoughts of the former Cardiff City player as he contemplates the long road back to recovery.

"I am sure those things go through his mind. But again it's down to us now to make him feel comfortable and positive looking forward and getting him back as fit as possible.

"He also has at least three years at a good level of football, we just have to make sure when he comes back he comes back fit."

Jardim added: "We are known for being a club like that. We try to look after our players, that is the maximum I can say.

"From my end, from my perspective I will do my best to make sure he feels part of it. Even though Aaron knows he's going to have surgery now, I am sure we will see him as soon as possible in the dressing room, watching the games and he will be part of everything."

Jardim's immediate concern will be filling the gaping hole left by the loss of his most experienced player and a midfielder who is currently joint top scorer with four goals.

Newport, currently 15th in League Two, face a difficult task away to sixth placed Notts County on Saturday.

Though Wildig's loss is the latest injury woe for Jardim, he cites the absence of his skipper as an opportunity for someone else.

"I feel like we have other young boys who can step up and are capable of doing a good job for us and obviously this will be their time to show their value."