Newport County

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Former Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe has questioned Newport County's physicality and appetite for a "battle" as their struggles in League Two continue.

County have lost four successive games to leave them 20th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

The Exiles' most recent defeat came last Saturday when they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Port Vale.

Ratcliffe was part of BBC Radio Wales' commentary team at Vale Park.

"When it comes to a battle, they come off second best all the time," said the ex-Everton skipper and centre-back.

"That's what Port Vale worked out at half-time. Newport lost their way in the second half.

"It was a disappointing afternoon for Newport County once again. That's two wins in 16 games now. That's not good enough."

Asked if this run of results meant Exiles manager Nelson Jardim was under pressure, Ratcliffe said: "As a manager, you're judged on results and the results have not been good enough.

"He's got to have stronger players in the squad. When you go man-to-man against them and match them, that's when it becomes evident they lack in height and physicality."

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Newport County striker Hamzad Kargbo has joined National League South side Chippenham Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

Former Queens Park Rangers youngster Kargbo joined Newport last summer after a successful trial.

But the 23-year-old has been allowed to leave having managed only two substitute appearances this season.

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Nelson Jardim is confident Newport County will sign at least "one or two" more players in the January transfer window after losing Ciaran Brennan to injury.

The 24-year-old was withdrawn in the 39th minute of his side's 3-2 loss at Port Vale on Saturday after dislocating his shoulder.

"When I had to sub Ciaran Brennan in the first half, we were not the same team," Jardim told BBC Sport Wales.

"He has to be reassessed but it was that [dislocated shoulder]. I don't know if he needs the hospital or not. I didn't have time to check with the physio yet."

Following news of the centre-back's injury, Jardim admitted Newport are confident they will make more signings in the final two weeks of the winter window having already recruited goalkeeper Lewis Webb, versatile left-back Tom Davies and forward David Ajiboye this month.

"We still have the transfer window open, let's see what we can do," added Jardim.

"We need to see how bad Ciaran is and we still have options within the squad.

"There's still conversations around but probably on Monday we can have more developments on that.

"But definitely at least another one or two [signings]."

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David Ajiboye is being tipped to make an attacking difference to Newport County – and help bring an end to their concerning form.

County have lost their last three games and have picked up just one win in their last 10 League Two outings.

The poor run has seen the Exiles slide to within six points of the bottom two, with boss Nelson Jardim expressing frustration after defeat at AFC Wimbledon earlier this month, when an impressive performance was not turned into points.

But Jardim hopes the loan signing of Peterborough winger Ajiboye will bring his team the boost they need.

Ajiboye has caught the eye against Newport in the past, and Jardim said: "He is someone we have followed and can definitely help us to improve our level.

"He brings a lot of skill and energy. We've progressed a lot since the beginning of the season but we're coming to a level and he will bring what we've probably been lacking in the last few games, which is being more effective in the final third and being more of a threat going forward.

"We have been here before – you cannot score six in a game and not have [the ability to score goals] – but look at the games against Walsall and Wimbledon, where we dominated but didn't get the goals. We needed that different player up front to give us a little bit more."

Ajiboye, 26, has more than 100 EFL appearances to his name, experience which should help a young Newport side.

Jardim added: "When you look at his numbers you don't believe he's only 26.

"He brings that experience of being exposed to different levels and the amount of games he's played.

"We have a number of very young players, many have played their first EFL games with us. He brings a different level of experience but is still a young boy with an opportunity to grow."

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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.

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Newport County are set to consult with their fanbase before fully committing to the Football Association of Wales' 'Prosiect Cymru' plans.

But the Newport County Supporters Trust has revealed initial feedback suggests fans are in favour of the chance to qualify for Europe via a revamped Welsh League Cup.

County were owned and ran by supporters until Huw Jenkins' takeover a year ago, with the club's supporters trust retaining places on the board and a 27% stake in the club.

And the Trust have told members they and the club will launch a full consultation once further details over the proposals come to light – and before any final say.

The Trust say they held initial "insightful" discussions on the new competition when the plans were first reported by BBC Sport Wales last autumn.

But with details yet to be fleshed out – and the viewpoint of the English football authorities not known at the time – they opted against taking the issues to members.

They did, however, contribute to the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) feedback by surveying some supporters.

That information showed that the majority of fans who responded were in favour, but only with guarantees of no impact on the ongoing participation in the EFL (Football League) and FA Cup.

It added: "Some concerns were raised in relation to fixture congestion and the need to take the competition seriously, and additional representations were made concerning our turbulent history with the FAW in the 1990s."

Giving the latest on the situation, the Trust said on their website: "We continue to be in discussions with the club, who have still not been provided with the full details on the proposal.

"Once these have been received from the FAW we will meet with the club to discuss the proposal in full and subsequently commence a full consultation process with the supporters which will be taken into account when deciding next steps."

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A glance at the League Two table suggests Newport County face something of a daunting task when they bid to end a three-game losing streak at Port Vale on Saturday.

Vale are right in the hunt for automatic promotion to League One, with Darren Moore's side just a point outside the top three with 21 third-tier games remaining.

But like Newport, the Valiants are not in great form.

They won their most recent game, at Doncaster Rovers 10 days ago, to end a run of eight league fixtures without victory which saw them slip from top spot to fifth.

Vale will aim to build on the Doncaster win as they return to Vale Park, where they have lost only once in the league – against leaders Walsall - since August.

Newport's most recent away victory came at Gillingham in October.

Since then the Exiles have won only one of 10 league games, leaving Nelson Jardim's side six points clear of the relegation zone.

Victory in the Potteries would be some way to turn things around, even if Vale have had their struggles of late too.

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On-loan Newport County midfielder Jamie Miley has been recalled early by parent club Newcastle United.

Miley, 20, had been due to spend the 2024-25 campaign with Newport after signing on loan last August.

But the midfielder has now returned to Tyneside amid reports that he is set for a permanent move elsewhere.

Miley made only eight appearances during an injury-hit spell at Newport.

He managed three League Two starts for the Exiles, the most recent of which came in the defeat at Tranmere Rovers in early November.

His final Newport appearance came in the home loss to AFC Wimbledon earlier this month.

"The club would like to thank Jamie for his efforts during his time at County and wish him well for the future," Newport said in a statement.

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Newport County has announced the dates of two rearranged League Two fixtures.

The game against Morecambe, which was due to be played at Rodney Parade last Sunday (5 January), will now take place on Tuesday, 4 February at 19:45 GMT.

It was postponed due to small areas of the field being deemed unplayable by the match referee.

County's League Two fixture at Accrington Stanley has been moved to Tuesday, 11 March at 19:45 GMT.

The match was due to be played on Saturday, 11 January, but had to be postponed due to Accrington's progression to the third round of the FA Cup, in which they will face Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Newport will now return to action on Saturday, 18 January with a trip to Port Vale.

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Chairman Huw Jenkins says Premier League clubs want their youngsters to play for Newport County as a result of the Exiles' change of style.

Newport, who are 18th in League Two, are trying to play a more possession-based game under former Swansea City coach Nelson Jardim.

Jenkins, who was Swansea chairman as they rose from the fourth tier to the Premier League between 2004 and 2011, says Newport's "reputation within the football fraternity is slowly changing".

"Our change in football style means we now have top-flight clubs actually starting to contact us to take their players on loan," he said in a statement issued to County fans at the halfway point in the season.

"And I'm sure that with the right player additions in January, we can look forward and develop even more as the season progresses."

Jardim was named head coach last July following the departure of Graham Coughlan, with an overhaul of the playing squad seeing 17 new faces arrive during the summer transfer window.

Jenkins that meant "a tough period of transition" was inevitable, but believes Newport "should get stronger" in the second half of the season.

"Signing our players on extended contracts will also allow the club flexibility to keep our best players longer and build value within the squad, while looking for consistency and growth each season," he added.

"A core base of players is vital and will hopefully provide us with a much better chance of success going forward.

"My summary of the season so far, on and off the pitch, is very much aligned. We have done reasonably well, but we must continue to improve in all areas on and off the field."