Newport County

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County have not been contacted by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) about proposals that could see Wales’ EFL clubs have the chance to secure European football via a Welsh cup competition.

Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County are currently only able to qualify for European competitions via the Premier League, FA Cup or EFL Cup.

The new proposal – titled Prosiect Cymru – has been made to Uefa, the Football Association, Premier League and clubs in the Cymru Premier.

But Exiles boss Jardim says his side have received no contact from the FAW about the potential route to European football.

"I've seen that in the news, but the only thing I can say is that the club hasn't been contacted by the FAW about that," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"I haven't got an opinion about that, I'm just focused on developing the players and the team."

Jardim's side sit ninth in League Two following their 3-1 win over Salford City at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.

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Newport County’s Ciaran Brennan returns from a three match ban for Tuesday’s League Two home game with Salford City.

And head coach Nelson Jardim not only believes the 24-year-old has learned the lessons of his red card but has also revealed he is seen as a future captain of the club.

Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Brennan was given his marching orders in the 4-1 home defeat by Port Vale in a game which finished with Newport fielding just nine men, as Kyle Jameson was also dismissed later for two yellow cards.

Republic of Ireland under-19 player Brennan saw red after kicking out during an off the ball incident with Port Vale skipper Ben Garrity.

Jardim has watched the skirmish with Brennan and said: “It was an experienced player, playing a bit with a young player learning the game. He [Brennan] got carried away with that situation.

“But he did learn and obviously it is always a moment when you have to accept that things can go wrong. If you are not focussed, if you are not in that task and if you get too emotional, things can go wrong.”

Brennan, who has had loan spells at Notts County, Swindon and Hartlepool, has played in a holding midfield role and in the backline for Newport.

His hunger for the task and desire to receive the ball and be a part of the game has shone through in his performances and those attributes have not been lost on Jardim.

Indeed the Newport head coach believes Brennan has already shown leadership qualities on the field.

Jardim said: “I played him in a couple of positions to get to know him better. But he is a leader, he has that.

“ He leads, not only in the game but in training as well. He has that in him. We see him as someone who can actually be one of the captains for this club.”

Meanwhile Newport will be hoping current team captain Aaron Wildig will be available for the game after suffering a back spasm in Saturday’s win over Crewe Alexandra.

Wildig, who has netted three goals this season, was substituted after 73 minutes against Crewe and will be assessed.

But if Wildig is passed fit, the return of Brennan will leave Jardim with the enviable selection dilemma of whether to change the starting line-up against Salford, having seen his side end a run of three consecutive league defeats with the win over Crewe.

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Cameron Evans says he missed the "special moment" which was the catalyst for Newport County to end their League Two losing streak.

Former Swansea City youngster Evans scored with a stunning 20-yard shot to put Newport on the road to a 2-1 home win over Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

But Evans said: “To be honest I did not see it go in at the time.

“I struck it, looked up and it was in the net. I was chuffed but I didn’t know what to do. I don’t score many goals and I did not know how to celebrate. I was buzzing.”

Newport’s win - against one of League Two's fancied teams - ended a three-game losing streak in the fourth tier.

Evans, 23, pointed to the defensive grit Newport showed as Crewe bounced back with an equaliser only for Wales Under-21 skipper Matt Baker to pop up with the winner.

Evans, who joined Newport in the summer on a two-year deal after a season at Taunton, said: “It was massive for us, the character we showed and defensively getting in, making blocks and covering each other.

"Crewe are a very good side and will be up there. they had won their last four and we had lost the last three league games, so it was massive for us.

“Now it's important for us to push on. We have to follow it up on Tuesday [against Salford] and may be start another run the way we did earlier in the season.”

Head coach Nelson Jardim hopes the goal will help Evans thrive as an individual.

The Swansea-born player has already shown his versatility by operating as a centre-back and in midfield this season.

“Football is about special moments and this is a good moment, a good day and a good game, especially for Cameron," Jardim said.

“Everything came together on that moment for him. Sometimes some of these boys wait years to get moments like that.

”I think he will take that with him for the future. I hope this is just a good start and I hope he is going to have a big future in front of him.”

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Newport County manager Nelson Jardim says his players made a point by taking three against Crewe Alexandra at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

County had suffered three successive losses and were facing questions over their defensive ability going into the game against an in-form Crewe.

They had twice shipped four goals, against Swindon and Port Vale, as well as losing without scoring at Barrow.

But the Exiles bounced back with a 2-1 win against Crewe, and Jardim felt the result showed what his side are made of.

“This game was about us, making sure we could see improvements and I think that was very obvious,” Jardim said after Matt Baker’s goal clinched the win.

“There’s been a little bit of criticism but I think everyone can see we have a good group with good characters in there and I’m proud of them.

“It was important to show what we were about. I was always sure about the group I’ve got and the work we are putting in, but sometimes you have to focus on what you do, which is coach and make sure everyone clear about direction and objectives.

"I think the fans can see that and I’m sure they accept you can have bad days - every team is like that. It is the way you overcome those periods that shows what type of group you are.”

County moved up to 12th in the table with the win and are just a point outside the play-offs.

Jardim will hope they can continue their climb when they welcome Salford City to south Wales on Tuesday.

“We’re looking to build every day but we accept sometimes things don’t go your way,” he added.

“We went through a difficult period, with injuries and red cards, but we have shown our character. We managed to get through the bad spell and we are looking to improve.

“We cannot promise to win every game, but we will promise to give everything we have as staff and players to compete.”

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Newport County chairman Huw Jenkins says it's unlikely the club will make more signings in the January transfer window after a big recruitment drive in the summer.

The Exiles signed 17 new players in the first full window of Jenkins' time as chairman, as Nelson Jardim took over as head coach.

County have concentrated on signing younger players to lower the average age of the squad, and Jenkins expects Jardim to work with what he's got.

Asked on BBC Radio Wales Sport whether more signings were possible in January, Jenkins said: "Not with the number of players we've got.

"We got a lot of players in (over the summer) so we'll stick with what we've got.

"We can't go out and spend hundreds of thousands on players. We've brought younger players in, reducing the age of the squad. They're obviously cheaper."

County are 12th in League Two, one point off the top seven, after ending their three-match losing run with a 1-0 win over Crewe at Rodney Parade.

Speaking before the game, Jenkins said there are no specific targets or demands on Jardim to get County into the top seven.

"Every game you go into, you want to win," added Jenkins.

"To me, football is simple. Every game you play you should try to win. And if you do that, and do it well, the points will take care of themselves and the table will show what you're achieving.

"It needs to be that simple."

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Newport County have been warned a familiar face could prove a problem as they face Crewe Alexandra, at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Former skipper Mickey Demetriou left the Welsh club for the Railwaymen in the summer of 2023 after more than six years at Newport.

Demetriou, now 34, still has an affection for Newport, but showed no sentiment as he scored twice against them in a Crewe victory at the Alexandra Stadium in August 2023.

Current Newport defender Matt Baker, who played alongside Demetriou when he joined the Exiles on loan, admitted: “He is one of the best defender scorers in the league. We all know what he can do.”

Demetriou will always be fondly regarded by Newport fans because of his wholehearted commitment, important goals, huge experience and being a champion for the club’s community work.

Wales Under-21s defender Baker said: “He has so much experience and has played a lot of games over a lot of years now.

“When I first came in I was only 19 at the time. He really helped me get used to the environment and how the games are played in League Two.

“Playing next to him definitely helped and I had James Clarke next to me as well, so those two really held me in good stead.”

Demetriou made more than 280 appearances for Newport, featuring in the League Two play off final defeats by Tranmere and Morecambe as well as scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Notts County in 2017, which completed the so-called “Great Escape” from relegation.

His 26 goals in 258 league appearances for Newport included one against Crewe in a 2-1 win for the visitors in March 2018, the Railwaymen's last victory at Rodney Parade.

Demetriou is already off the mark for Crewe this season and has been made captain as he returns to Rodney Parade with his side seeking their fifth consecutive league victory for the first time in 30 years.

Crewe’s squad also includes former Newport striker Omar Bogle. But having been released by the Exiles in the summer, he has made only two substitute appearances in the league and scored a consolation goal in a sole EFL Trophy outing against Blackpool.

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Newport County have announced that Andrew Bartlett and Mike Everett have joined their board of directors.

Bartlett and Everett are the elected representatives of the Newport County Supporters’ Trust.

They join club chairman Huw Jenkins (above) on the board.

The trust owns 27% of the League Two club. The trust had been majority shareholders until ex-Swansea City chairman Jenkins completed his takeover of the club.

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Newport County must halt Crewe Alexandra’s surge in form if they are to end their dip at Rodney Parade this Saturday.

Lee Bell’s Crewe, who include former Exiles defender Mickey Demetriou in their ranks, failed to win in their first three League Two games this season.

But they have climbed into the play-off places in the early-season table courtesy of successive league victories over Bromley, Morecambe, Accrington Stanley and Harrogate Town.

Newport have failed to take a point in their last three league games, having won the three league fixtures before that disappointing run.

Crewe’s form has been equally unpredictable, with last season’s beaten play-off finalists failing to score in their opening three games in this campaign before their dramatic improvement.

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Seven games in and Newport County's new League Two season has been a story of ups and downs.

After an opening day defeat, Nelson Jardim's side won three on the bounce, but have since suffered three defeats, conceding 10 goals in the process.

They currently sit 14th ahead of Saturday's home game against Crewe Alexandra.

We asked you to have your say on the season so far. Here's what you told us:

Ian: It’s a change of football philosophy at Newport, change takes time, it’s not instant.

The squad is full of potential but at this stage that’s all it is, the young players will need to adapt, learn, settle and find their feet quickly.

This will mean some ups and downs and we are already seeing that across the first few games. Injuries haven’t helped.

Paul: Let us be positive nine points from six games and top10, everyone would have taken that. I believe we have some very good technical young players, what I would like to see is investment in another experienced goalkeeper and two big experienced defenders with league One or Two experience. If we do that, the young players will flourish.

Terry: Newport needs a manager, Nelson Jardim is a pure coach. The club had a manager in Graham Coughlan, but his 'my way or the highway' approach eventually cost him his job. There are managers around who have a softer approach and that is the type County should seek.

Richie: We need a fit and imposing centre half, maybe two. Dominant in the air, simple as on the floor. We let one go. Shame. When that is in place the defence will be much calmer and confident. Those in front can then be launched and deliver. In this league you need an experienced central defence. With that in place there is hope. Manager OK, for now.

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Former captain Mark O’Brien says Newport County’s defensive struggles is not a worry – but admits the young Exiles do need to learn lessons.

He hopes the impending return of experienced pair James Clarke and Aaron Wildig will help boost the leadership he accepts Nelson Jardim’s side are missing.

County shipped four goals against both Port Vale and Swindon Town before conceding twice at Barrow for a third defeat in a row.

All games have been marked by defensive mistakes under pressure, and former centre-back O’Brien says it is a tough learning curve for a fresh-faced and new-look squad.

Only Accrington Stanley have conceded more than County's 15 from their seven league games so far.

Speaking after the 2-0 loss at the League Two leaders, O’Brien said: “One team were brilliant at the basics and the other wasn’t quite up to it.

“The consistency Barrow showed in making Newport defend and being on the back foot, Newport couldn’t sustain attacks going forward.

“And when the ball comes into the box, as a League Two side you have to be able to defend it.

"But Newport were under that much pressure the cracks were starting to show, and that lack of leadership a little in the backline with not having James Clarke, Aaron Wildig and Shane McCloughlin is starting to be a tell-tale sign.”

Newport now face back-to-back home games against Crewe Alexandra and Salford City in a bid to return to their early-season form, with Clarke and Wildig said by Jardim to still be “two or three weeks” away from fitness following injury.

But O’Brien added: "I don’t think it’s anything to be worried about so early in the season, but it is something that will need to be looked at.

“To call it a worry would be too strong; when you’ve got inexperience in the squad, the harsh reality of football is that you have to learn on the job - which is what some of these players are doing.

“I think it will take a little bit of time and when experience comes back I think you’ll see a different outfit.”

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Newport County manager Nelson Jardim admits they are missing their old heads – but says heading home will help pave the way for their return.

The young Exiles lost a third match on the spin as they went down 2-0 at League Two leaders Barrow.

Jardim says injured senior duo James Clarke and Aaron Wildig should be back in “two or three weeks” to help boost the side.

But, with back-to-back home fixtures against Crewe Alexandra and Salford City to come, Jardim believes his team can return to winning ways in the meantime.

Speaking after the loss, Jardim said: “We are missing the experienced players. The timing with losing Clarkey and Wildig, just to mention those two, of course my options in these games would have been better if they were with us.

“But it’s making sure when they come back in two or three weeks to work hard to make sure we can pick up again and see the future in a positive manner.

“Barrow showed why they are top of the league, they are a good team who play good football but are also a physical team. If you look every one-v-one we came across we lost most of them.

“But we have to go back, to address what we need to do and look forward to make sure these home games are massive for us; we have two games to bring some more points for us.

“We know the direction we want to take, it’s just keeping the boys motivated and focussed on their jobs.”

County are 13th in the table after early momentum has faded, but Jardim added: “With seven games done, we are halfway up the table. If you would have told me to have nine points at mid-table at this stage I would have taken it at the start of the season.”

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Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has praised the early season efforts of forward Luke Jephcott.

Jephcott is a former Wales Under-21 international who began his professional career on the books of Plymouth Argyle.

Having joined the Exiles in January this year from Scottish Premiership side St. Johnstone, the forward has made 23 appearances for County in all competitions, but is yet to register a single goal since his arrival, although Jardim is pleased with his impact.

"I’ve been saying that Luke is a good person, a good character and a good player, you can see that," Jardim told BBC Sport Wales.

"He fits the way we see the game, he suits us in that number 10 role. I also feel that the false nine role is something that would suit him if we needed it.

"Luke just needs that goal to give him that confidence, I think it will come sooner rather than later. I'm confident that he’ll reach that level and be there for the team.

"He’s been great to us, he’s always there when you need him and I’m sure he’ll be an important player for the upcoming weeks."

Ethan Latham
BBC Sport Wales

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Midfielder Bryn Morris believes that Newport County can still be successful this season, even with a lack of experience in the squad.

Injuries and suspensions have already played an early role in Newport's season, as the Exiles are without captain Aaron Wildig, defender James Clarke and versatile Irishman Shane McLoughlin to name a few, ahead of Saturday's visit to Barrow.

Morris, 28, featured in all 46 of Newport's League Two fixtures last season, but missed the first three games of this year's campaign with an injury of his own.

With a persistent Achilles issue now behind him, Morris has highlighted the importance of leading by example.

"I’m not one to talk to the younger players one-on-one, but I try to help them on the pitch and lead by example," said Morris.

"I always try to help them with positioning and I try to get them talking constantly, that's super important.

"We do lack experience, but that’s not to say we can’t be successful.

"Having these young lads in the squad definitely brings more hunger, which is good. It brings healthy competition to the squad."

Morris scored seven league goals for Newport last season, but has found himself starting in a deeper role this season, including an appearance at centre-back in the 4-0 away defeat at Swindon Town.

"I’ve played there before, it’s not my most enjoyable position, but I'll always fill in and do whatever the manager asks," he added.

"I think it comes down to personnel and the bodies that we have available. Last season I was given that freedom to go forward, I don’t think we really have that at the minute.

"It does hold me back a bit in terms of being able to push up the pitch more, but that’s not to say that it will continue.

"We’re going to face different teams with formations that will make us set up differently, but for now I'm happy to play my part."

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Oliver Greaves believes Newport County have to get "back to basics" to arrest their drop in league form.

After three consecutive wins in League Two, Newport have suffered consecutive heavy defeats – 4-1 at home to Port Vale and 4-0 at Swindon last Saturday.

Greaves provided a timely morale booster by coming off the bench to score the winner in Tuesday’s 1-0 EFL Trophy victory over West Ham United Under-21s at Rodney Parade.

As Newport prepare to return to league action at third-placed Barrow on Saturday, Greaves believes the performance in midweek is a blueprint to follow.

He said: “We spoke about it in detail, just getting back to basics really, getting the basics right – running, beating your man, coming away from the on-the-ball side of stuff.

“I feel we did that [against West Ham] so hopefully we can push on in the league now and get back to basics."

Former Sheffield United Under-21 forward Greaves had a loan spell at Barrow five years ago.

“They are well known for the hard-working side of things, they have started well," he said.

"It will be a tough test but one we will be ready for and hopefully we can get back to winning ways.

“We knew it wasn’t good enough [at Swindon], it was a bit of an embarrassing first half on Saturday. We came away from the basics, focusing too much on the ball and forgetting to win our battles.

"We got back to the 'brilliant basics' [against West Ham] as they say, and it wins you games of football.”

Greaves, 24, is relishing his return to the professional game having left the Blades aged 20 following injury.

He dropped out of professional football, having spells at Dover Athletic, Buxton and Spanish outfit CD Almunecar City.

But it was his prolific goalscoring form for Northern Premier League side Mickleover which earned him an opportunity to return to the full-time ranks with Newport in the summer.

“I’ve had a couple of years out of football with knee injuries, but I always believed in myself and backed myself to get back up to where I was," he said.

Greaves, who netted on his Newport debut in the 3-2 season-opening defeat at Cheltenham Town, still has to monitor his knee problem.

He said: “I just need minutes. I started off the season with a goal and from that high I had a couple of injections in my knee. So it’s just building that fitness back up now and any minutes I can get.

“I have known that for a few years now. It’s a case of managing it. But at the same time I just want to give everything I can.”

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Newport County captain Aaron Wildig face a spell on the sidelines after suffering concussion.

Former Cardiff midfielder Wildig was substituted with a head injury during Saturday’s 4-0 League Two defeat at Swindon Town and faces a mandatory spell out of action.

Newport assistant coach Dafydd Williams said: “It is concussion. We have revisited that through the protocols the medical department do and had it confirmed.

“I think it’s 12 days Aaron will be out for and there is a return to play protocol to abide by.”

Wildig, 32, will miss the trip to Barrow and will be monitored before Newport host Crewe, on September 28.

His absence is another injury blow for Newport who have suffered two successive league defeats, after winning three in a row – with Wildig scoring in each of the victories.

Newport have a clutch of players out with injury. The latest casualty is Newcastle loan midfielder Jamie Miley, who has had a hernia operation and could be out for a month.

The Wildig situation was revealed after Newport earned a much welcomed 1-0 EFL Trophy victory over West Ham United under-21s at Rodney Parade, on Tuesday night.

Willliams said the win over West Ham, Newport's first victory in this season's competition was important.

He said: "We were bitterly disappointed with the last two league games, especially Saturday.

"But ultimately it was about bouncing back from that and showing that grit and resilience that ultimately when you represent this football club you have to have as a non-negotiable.

“We fell short of that on Saturday and it was all about that (against West Ham) and to be fair the boys delivered."