Newport County

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Mark Hughes says he "enjoyed every minute" of his return to management and is eyeing Newport County after an "encouraging" start to his time at Carlisle United.

The Wales legend was a surprise appointment as new Carlisle boss last week, facing the challenge of saving the Cumbrians from relegation into non-league.

Hughes, a former Wales manager and 72-cap international, took charge for the first time at the weekend, going down 2-1 at Grimsby Town to keep them at the bottom of League Two.

They now head to Newport on Tuesday looking to cut the gap to safety from five points.

And former Manchester United and Barcelona star Hughes says he loved being back in the dug-out for the first time since leaving Bradford City in October 2023.

"I enjoyed every minute of it," Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria. "Three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon - that's what I've missed. It was great to be back."

On Carlisle's defeat, Sparky added: "It was a performance of good energy and a group of guys trying to implement what a new management team has been trying to put in within 48 hours.

"Getting beat in your first game as manager of club is disappointing, but you always want to take encouragement and I've been able to do that.

"I feel there's more to come when we can have more time with the group and we can bring the better elements we saw more to the fore on more regular occasions."

Carlisle went ahead after just five minutes at Blundell Park before losing the game in the final 10 minutes for a third defeat in a row.

Newport had at one stage been worrying close to the drop zone themselves, only for a three game winning streak to ease the pressure. They welcome Carlisle able to go 16 points clear of the bottom two by making it four wins on the spin for the first time since August 2022.

But Hughes said he will be ready for the test, adding: "It's a big game on Tuesday against a side who have found a little bit of form.

"(Saturday was) a good learning experience for me; I understand a lot more about of what is ahead of us and what the group is capable of. I'll take that, process that and go again on Tuesday.

"We've got a couple of days to go through it with a fine tooth comb, understand areas that were causing us a problem, we'll pick the bones out of it and be ready to go again and try and take that extra step that allows us to win games."

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Cameron Antwi celebrated a boyhood dream with the spectacular at Crewe – but says it's the ugly stuff that is making the difference for in-form Newport County.

The Exiles have taken a giant stride towards easing League Two relegation fears with three wins in a row.

The latest came at Gresty Road, with the former Cardiff City midfielder opening the scoring in the 3-0 win.

It was the 23-year-old's first senior goal, the midfielder marking the occasion with an eye-catching somersault.

But it's been the way an inexperienced side has suddenly found its fight that has really impressed of late, something Antwi acknowledged a young team has learned to get to grips with.

"I've been waiting for that since I was eight or nine years-old," said summer arrival Antwi of his landmark goal.

"This is my first season in the EFL and I am enjoying it. I am learning every single day and taking in different experiences, and also learning from the older lads and other boys that have come in. Every day is a learning curve.

"I feel that I am starting to progress more and I think that is showing on the pitch with results and performances.

"I'm understanding sometimes you need to just put your foot in and I feel that I am learning that and getting better at that. When I am in the middle, I've got to be the one to do that and then others will follow.

"It's just been about getting to know each other more and also just fighting for each other, being there for your mates on the pitch.

"It's understanding I can't just play individually, it has to be as a team. We're on a good run and will look to go into Tuesday with the same spirit and same fight and win again."

Newport welcome bottom placed Carlisle in midweek – now managed by Wales legend Mark Hughes – with the chance to move 16 points clear of the bottom two.

It could be a significant opportunity given they were once within six points with games against survival rivals to come.

Antwi added: "It's been a long time since we have put a few wins together but we have worked together, fought together and got the right results for it.

"We're not looking ahead of us or behind, we're just focusing on ourselves."

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Nelson Jardim hopes Newport County can have a "steady" summer following two hectic transfer windows since he joined the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Exiles signed six players during the January window, meaning they have recruited a total of 24 players throughout the course of the current season.

And while Newport have endured tough spells in their debut campaign under Jardim, the Portuguese boss feels his new-look squad will only improve as they spend more time together.

"When you change around 20 players in the squad in one season, most of them young players, you have your squad for next season already done," said Jardim.

"You just need to do a touch here and there, little things, which is normal, but you are not starting all over again.

"That's the target - can we make sure we've got a consistent team and a group of boys that can grow together and will be much better next season.

"I don't have any doubts that they will do that, but when you are competing you want to win every game. The short-term goals are there, to push forward and go upwards.

"Long-term we want to build something for the future and I am sure within a year or two these boys will do a lot of good things.

"This season allows everyone to get to know each other. What we are looking for is a steady summer, with the target of improving the team."

Lewis Webb, Tom Davies, Josh Martin, Jaden Warner and Keenan Patten have all recently joined the club while David Ajiboye arrived on loan from Peterborough United.

Newport also extended striker Kyle Hudlin's loan deal from Huddersfield Town until the end of the season.

And while Jardim was disappointed to lose full-back Tom Davies - who arrived on a permanent deal from Cardiff City - for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury, the head coach feels the club are in a stronger position as a result of their dealings in the winter market.

"Every time you go to a transfer window you want to improve the team, and that is happening," added the Newport boss.

"January did that, we are much stronger with the boys that have come in.

"The only disappointment is the injury to Tom Davies, you don't want to see a young player with a bright future having that time away from training and playing."

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Newport County goalkeeper Nick Townsend said the team needed to move away from playing "nice football" to beat Morecambe on Tuesday.

A poor run of form had seen the Exiles drop dangerously close to the relegation zone, but back-to-back wins have moved them 10 points clear of the bottom two.

Nelson Jardim's side followed up Saturday's 1-0 home win over Barrow with a 2-1 win over the Shrimps - Joe Thomas and David Ajiboye with the goals.

Townsend, an Antigua and Barbuda international, said the team will be stronger having bounced back from a run of one win in 15 games.

"It's a massive win for us, we needed it, we've dug deep," said Townsend.

"We are starting to gel, it's a young team still and we've had some lads coming in to strengthen the squad.

"We understood what we needed to do, it was not nice football but it was effective football.

"We have the foundations now to build on, this is the hard part of football.

"We're coming to the business end of the season, and we need to get through this period and come back stronger."

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Newport County boss Nelson Jardim says he has not paid attention to his critics after a win that eased pressure on his young side.

County saw off struggling Morecambe to move 10 points clear of the League Two relegation places, David Ajiboye scoring just minutes after the visitors looked to have snatched a point.

It was a second straight win for the Exiles in a period Jardim had accepted was key one to pull away from trouble after a winless six games.

But the Portuguese head coach says he has ignored doubters and focused on his fresh-faced side, still confident they can kick on in their season.

Speaking after the 2-1 win at Rodney Parade, Jardim said: "It is a big win. We knew we needed to win this game, it feels good - and I'm just pleased for the players.

"They have been fantastic from the beginning of the season and they deserve that. The fight especially in the last two games has been outstanding."

There had been questions over the mental strength of an inexperienced side faced with a relegation fight, but Jardim said the late win was not an answer to such critics.

He said: "I don't know anything about critics, I know only about my players, that's what I care about it. I can only deal with things in a positive manner, so I don't read the news, social media, because I am only focused on working with my players.

"The only thing I worry about is how they think, how they see things, how can we improve. The only criticism I have to pay attention to is from the players. Whatever we do is because we work together, every day, and that's why you see them fighting and knowing what to do in these situations."

Newport had lost five games in a row before a point at Salford was followed up by a home win over Barrow and this success over 23rd-placed Morecambe.

Jardim added: "We are still far away from what we want, but every team goes through a bad spell. You have to put what we've been through in context – with less home games than others, with injuries, with tough games we've had recently.

"I can only focus on how we can improve, they have been great to work with and a joy to watch. You always want to win in a comfortable manner, but to win like that sometimes can be more than three points."

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County must be ready for a fight on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT) as they take on Morecambe at Rodney Parade.

Newport are aiming for a second home victory in three days having ended their six-game winless run by beating Barrow on Saturday.

The Exiles are 19th in League Two, seven points clear of a Morecambe side who are currently 23rd.

Derek Adams' Morecambe ended a three-game league winless streak by beating Fleetwood 4-2 over the weekend.

And Jardim says that though the Shrimps are in the relegation zone, they will provide a stern test.

"The fight will have to be there," said the Newport head coach.

"It's obviously going to be tough – Morecambe make every game tough for everyone they play. Even when they lose games, it's 1-0, 1-0, 1-0. They are always there fighting."

Morecambe's visit – a rearranged fixture after it was postponed last month - is the second of five home matches in six for Newport, who have played 15 away league games this compared to only 12 on their own patch.

"We have got this good run of home games because we have been playing away a lot since November," Jardim added.

"I have always said home games are important for a team like us. Then there is a big chance to go away and nick a win and we will do that - we almost did it in Salford [last week].

"First we will make sure that we do our best to win our home games."

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Newport County say they will take the strongest possible action after a supporter was accused of homophobic abuse during Saturday's League Two win over Barrow.

The incident - which was reported to the match referee - is alleged to have been made towards a Barrow player from a supporter in the open terrace situated behind the managers' dugouts at Rodney Parade.

The club have hit out against such behaviour and called for fans to step forward with information.

A statement released on Monday read: "The club is aware of an incident involving an individual making an abusive comment, of a homophobic nature to an opposing player, which was reported to the match referee during Saturday's fixture against Barrow AFC.

"Such behaviour is completely unacceptable, deeply offensive, and in no way reflects the values of this club or the support we expect for our team."

The club said they will take the strongest possible action "in line with our Sanctions and Banning Policy".

Their statement went on: "Newport County is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all supporters. We will be working closely with the Police and stewards to identify the individual responsible for this comment.

"We stand united in our commitment to ensuring a welcoming and respectful atmosphere for all fans, and the club abhor any discriminate actions or comments."

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County have a "couple of targets" as they look to make some late additions to their squad before Monday's transfer deadline.

The Exiles are sweating on injuries to midfield duo Kai Whitmore and Kieron Evans.

They will also be without January signing Tom Davies for the remainder of the season as a result of the hamstring injury the full-back sustained in the 1-1 draw at Salford City on Tuesday night.

It has left Jardim eager to further bolster his squad before Monday's 23:00 GMT transfer deadline, but the Newport boss has stressed the club are hoping to build for the long-term at Rodney Parade.

"We've signed Jaden [Warner] yesterday, but we've got a couple of targets," said Jardim.

"We're short in the middle, but it has to be the right player for us.

"Let's make this clear to everyone, it's not easy to build something from scratch.

"When you have Joe Thomas, Kieron Evans, Matt Baker, Cameron Antwi, Kai, you are not preparing for now, you are preparing for the next couple of years.

"I can see these boys, if they play and grow together, within two or three years they're going to be a very strong team.

"That's what we believe here. We do things with a thought behind it, it's not to rush nothing, it's just to build on what we've got. 

"We know sometimes the results don't come right away, but we have to always be focused and looking forward that things will come."

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Kai Whitmore and Kieron Evans will both be assessed by Newport County's medical team after being withdrawn during the Exiles' 1-0 win against Barrow at Rodney Parade.

Nelson Jardim's side ended their six-game winless run in League Two courtesy of Kyle Cameron's own goal in the 70th minute, but they were dealt a pair of injury blows in the second half.

Whitmore was replaced by Evans in the 57th minute, although Evans himself was then forced off in added time.

"Kai was only this morning with the physio. After Salford, he came off with two problems; the eye and he had a very strong knock with a lot of bruising on his leg," explained Jardim.

"He's been off his feet the last couple of days just to make sure that he was ready for today.

"Only this morning we decided to give him a go, at least for 45 minutes. We decided to give him a little bit more time. But there is a point where we have to protect the players.

"We lost Kieron who came on in his [Whitmore's] place. We thought Kieron could give us half an hour, but unfortunately he didn't."

It comes after Newport confirmed full-back Tom Davies - who joined on a permanent deal from Cardiff City in January - will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

Jardim remains hopeful of bolstering his squad before Monday's 23:00 GMT transfer deadline.

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Newport County midfielder Kiban Rai has joined Merthyr Town on loan until the end of the season.

Rai, 20, has made just six appearances for County this season, most as a substitute, and rejoins the Southern Premier League South side having spent his early years in junior football at Penydarren Park.

Rai has been at County since the age of 15 and scored a memorable 96th minute equaliser against Premier League side Brentford in the EFL Cup in August 2023.

Born in Brecon, Rai also qualifies to represent Nepal through his parents and joins a Merthyr team who sit top of the Southern Premier League South.

Merthyr manager Paul Michael said: "Kiban is a fantastic talent who has shown glimpses of that with Newport's first team over the past couple of seasons.

"We are delighted to be the club that has the opportunity to give him more senior exposure to continue his development over the next few months."

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Peter: Change the manager. Appoint Neil Warnock until end of season, then Mike Flynn next season.

Dean: We are terrible from top to bottom, Huw Jenkins was supposed to come in and be our saviour, but it's been a complete disaster. We've made poor signings and let our best players go, as well as employing a complete rookie as a manager. Now is the time to get a proven striker before this window closes and to get a real manager, otherwise it's curtains unfortunately.

Ben: I feel we need a couple of new defenders and a goalkeeper, we need to stop conceding so many goals. We could do with a decent striker as well.

Lewis: Jardim Out. I've had enough of him, he's not good enough for League Two. He should go back to Swansea, we made a mistake giving him the job, the club need someone with experience and someone who knows the club and the league.

Neil: I think the whole recruitment process needs looking at, there are plenty of talented players out there who are appropriate for this division. We should look to places like Scotland, it wouldn't cost the club a fortune. If we go down it is a long haul back.

Terry: Nelson Jardim would be far more effective if he was to coach alongside an experienced manager. Every new signing is a gamble, be it in non-league or the Premier League, but Newport's pre-season recruitment campaign was not the best - therefore that is the area which needs to improve the most - alongside the back-up goalkeeping sector.

Adrian: After a good start, we have taken the typical nose dive. The style of football is better to watch, but it's one plan only. The team struggle to alter and change the system to win or stop losing games. The time for a clear out of staff was in the summer, but It didn't fully happen. There are too many old faces in and around the dugout, some with very little to add.

Peter: Huw Jenkins needs to stand up now, be brave and swallow his pride. He needs to admit his mistakes and relieve Nelson jardim of his duties. He needs to abandon his beliefs and trust in this possession playing style and bring in an experienced football league manager who can try and save our season. Jenkins needs to stop signing players with no experience, he needs to dig deep and bring in quality.

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County could add "one or two" more players to their ranks before next Monday's 23:00 GMT transfer deadline.

The Exiles have brought in goalkeeper Lewis Webb, full-back Tom Davies and versatile forward Josh Martin this month in addition to extending striker Kyle Hudlin's loan from Huddersfield Town.

While Jardim feels Newport's squad is already stronger than it was prior to the winter window, he says the club could further bolster their options, particularly given the muscle injury sustained by Davies during Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Salford City.

"We are quite happy with everything we've done. We've got different solutions for different positions," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"Tom, we were not expecting to lose him now. He came to fill a position that we were actually waiting for three months to fill - that left-sided position. We only have [Anthony] Glennon in there.

"In terms of the other positions, we're always assessing the market, but if we don't feel it's the right player or character to join this club, we're not going to do it.

"If something is there for us, if it's right for us then we will do it. We're not forcing anything. But if we have the chance, we will do one or two."

Jardim says Newport chairman Huw Jenkins is "on top of everything" regarding potential transfers.

"In terms of signings, he's going to make the final calls, but we are working together to make sure we are stronger," he added.

"I think this transfer window shows that we are a stronger team than we were previously."