Newport County

Image source, FAW

Karl Darlow’s debut for Wales has been more than 10 years in the making – and all started at Spytty Park.

Leeds keeper Darlow, 33, was still a 21-year-old hopeful at Nottingham Forest when he joined Newport County on loan as they battled to stay in the National League in 2012.

He made his first senior starts under then-County boss Justin Edinburgh and made his mark with the Amber Army, before heading back to Forest and a big move to Newcastle.

It was while at County that Darlow’s Welsh connection emerged, with grandfather – and 1958 Wales forward – Ken Leek from Ynysybwl.

And after turning down enquiries from both Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs, he is now a fully-fledged international after being capped by Craig Bellamy.

But he is not the only former Newport star to have gone on to win international honours – or at least get close - with an almost fully formed XI from over the last decade or so winning caps or being called up by their country after being at the County.

As well as Darlow, the list includes others who have had Premier League experience such as Arsenal defender Ben White, who travelled to major tournaments with England.

And former loan striker Antoine Semenyo – who scored 3 goals in 22 appearances while in south Wales – appeared at the 2022 World Cup.

Only one player in our team has not won a full cap, current Newport defender Matt Baker who has captained Wales Under-21s and was called into the senior squad in June without featuring.

International Exiles XI

GK - Karl Darlow (Wales, 1 cap) – Newport loan 2012, now Leeds

Def – Regan Poole (Wales, 1 cap) – Newport 2014-15, loan 2019, now Portsmouth

Def – Ben White (England, 4 caps) – Newport loan 2017-18, now Arsenal

Def – Matt Baker (Wales, unused sub) – Newport 2023 – Present

Mid – Oli Cooper (Wales, 3 caps) – Newport loan 2021-22, Swansea City

Mid – Otis Kahn (Pakistan, 9 caps) – Newport loan 2020, now Oldham

Mid – Josh Sheehan (Wales, 7 caps) – Newport loan 2016-2021, now Bolton

Mid – Finn Azaz (Rep. Ireland 2 caps) – Newport loan 2021-22, now Middlesbrough

Att – Oli McBurnie (Scotland, 16 caps) – Newport loan 2015, now Las Palmas

Att – Antoine Semenyo (Ghana, 23 caps) – Newport loan 2018-19, now Bournemouth

Att – Mark Harris (Wales, 6 caps) – Newport loan 2018-19, now Oxford

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Nelson Jardim insists Newport County will “find solutions” for their defensive selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s League Two match at Swindon Town.

County are still likely to be without the injured James Clarke, as well as suspended duo Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson, who were both sent off in the 4-1 home defeat to Port Vale.

Another defender, Shane McLoughlin, also went off in that game with an injury described by Jardim as “not good”.

Centre back Matt Baker should return after Wales Under-21 duty but it leaves County with the prospect of starting with English Football League [EFL] novices Cameron Evans and Nelson Sanca.

“We will find solutions within the squad, we’ve got more than enough options to make sure we are organised and can compete to win,” Jardim said.

“We just need to see how we finished the game, we finished with [Nelson] Sanca, with Bryn [Morris] and with Cameron [Evans] – a completely new defensive line.

“At this level when you change too many players defensively obviously you know there’s something that can go wrong.

“Having to play the last 25-30 minutes with nine and still not concede more goals, I felt that the effort was there and the boys showed the character we know we’ve got in the squad”.

The Port Vale defeat brought to an end a winning streak of three League Two matches for County.

But with County eighth in the table, Jardim remains upbeat about his team’s start to the season.

“We know that we are not perfect, I’ve been saying that last week and it’s about us getting together and making sure we keep going and improve in the future,” added Jardim.

“We understand we have a lot to improve and especially in controlling our emotions, they got too emotional and those two sending offs were a little bit like that

“The fans saw the boys fighting, they saw it was not a good day and they still kept pushing us, and we felt their energy towards the end.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County’s red card duo have been slammed for their lack of discipline against Port Vale, being told they behaved liked “schoolkids”.

Centre-backs Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson were both sent off as the Exiles were thrashed 4-1 at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

It was part of a second-half capitulation that confirmed the first home defeat of the League Two campaign under head coach Nelson Jardim.

Brennan was given a straight red for kicking out at Port Vale captain Ben Garrity in an off-the-ball incident less than 13 minutes after the restart.

And Jameson followed him down the tunnel nine minutes later after a scuffle saw him receive a second yellow card.

County were already 4-1 down at the time, but former Newport defender Jason Perry was highly critical of the actions that now leave Jardim with a defensive selection crisis for Saturday’s trip to Swindon.

“It was a schooling for the centre-halves and they will learn,” Perry told BBC Radio Wales Sport. “But the biggest errors came after the goals: two players sent of that will cost them further down the line.

“At 2-1 down [at half-time] they were still in it and there was hope things can turn around, but Newport didn’t just press the self-destruct button, they kept their finger on it for 45 minutes.

“They were two of the silliest sendings offs you will see all season, such a lack of discipline - like schoolkids.

“Brennan was standing over the player as if waiting for the referee’s attention and then kicks him so he has no choice. They are running ragged, trying to get back in the game, and then Kyle Jameson gets involved in a scuffle, no choice again.

“You were just praying it would stay at 4-1. It’s one of those games I’m still shaking my head trying to work it out.”

Brennan faces a three-match ban for his red while Jameson will miss the early kick-off at Swindon as part of a one-match suspension, with County already without captain James Clarke. Wing-back Shane McLoughlin was forced off early during the Vale defeat with injury.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Wales international Alan Curtis will be Newport County's special guest for their League Two meeting with Port Vale at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Curtis won 35 caps for Wales between 1976-1987, scoring six times.

He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in 2020 for services to Welsh football after a playing and coaching career that spanned over four decades.

The 70-year-old, who is now honorary president at Swansea City, made over 400 appearances for the Swans across three separate spells.

The Wales great also had spells at Leeds United and Cardiff City, before finishing his playing career at Barry Town.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Nelson Jardim insists Cameron Evans is ready to make his first League Two start to help ease Newport County's centre back dilemma.

Jardim will be without injured skipper James Clarke for Saturday's game at home to Port Vale as well as Matt Baker, who will captain Wales Under-21s in Iceland on Tuesday.

Evans, 23, has yet to start an EFL match but did play in the defeat to Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy and has previously worked with Jardim at Swansea City.

"I've known Cameron since he was 15-years-old, so I know what he can do," said Jardim.

"He can offer a lot of things for us, playing in different positions and I thought he was good last Tuesday, so, yes, he's a good option I would say.

"I haven't made that decision yet, because we still have one training session and we have to obviously assess everything, but it would be between him and Nelson Sansa.

"We have plenty of options. Clarke is a blow because he is injured.

"I wouldn't say Matt is a loss as we are happy that he is representing his country. He was happy and we should be proud of that as well. He's developing here with us and he can play for his country. So we couldn't be more happy and I see others in the squad that can step in and do as good as them."

County are looking to make it four league wins in a row on Saturday, with victory against a Port Vale side who have conceded seven goals in their last two League Two matches.

However, Jardim does not read anything into the possibility his side could move into the top three this weekend.

"It's too early and obviously we are doing well. But like I said to the players, I urge everyone to make sure we keep going.

"We don't get complacent and we know that the place we are now is due to their work.

"Everything we are doing is together. So no, it's too early to make any judgement."

Image source, BBC Sport

It's early days, but so far, so very good for Nelson Jardim's Newport County.

The victory at Morecambe last weekend may not have been plain sailing, but the result means it is three wins in a row for the Exiles.

That form is confounding some pre-season predictions of a struggle and, with Newport sitting fourth in the table, has got some fans excited about what is to come in September.

But who in Jardim's new-look side has caught the eye and really made an impact early on this season?

Is it one of the many new signings, such as exciting former Burton attacker Bobby Kamwa, who - inspired by a Brazil star - scored a stunner against Doncaster?

Or is it one of the old boys, such as midfielder Aaron Wildig, who got the only goal at his former club to sink the Shrimps, or goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who earned praise for the side's first clean sheet?

Maybe it is returning striker Courtney Baker-Richardson who has grabbed two goals and one assist since coming back to the County?

Or is there someone else who has stood out? Newport fans, you can have your say by sending your views here, external.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Midfielder Kieron Evans hopes his maiden goal for Newport County in the EFL Trophy will be the first of many at the League Two club.

The 22-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Championship side Cardiff City, gave County a first-half lead at home to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.

But the visitors came from behind to beat the Exiles, who had Jacob Carney sent off before half-time.

“It’s always nice to get off the mark early doors so hopefully now it’s going to come more often,” said Evans.

“If you watched the first half I thought we played really well, but second half we were up against it a bit.

“On Saturday [at Morecambe], I came on for 15 to 20 minutes and the gaffer (Nelson Jardim) has said ‘just go and express yourself, drive with the ball’, so that’s what I went out and did."

Evans says he is hungry to gain League Two experience after previous loan spells in the National League, with Torquay and Gateshead.

“I’m just excited to push myself at this level," he added.

"The gaffer and Daf (assistant boss Dafydd Williams) have been brilliant since I’ve come in and the way they play is brilliant.

"It’s exactly what I like to do, play on the floor, so it’ll suit me perfectly.”

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Newport County will be without defender Matt Baker for Saturday’s League Two home game with Port Vale.

Baker is captain of the Wales Under-21s and again links up with Matty Jones’ squad, who are preparing for their Uefa Euro qualifier against Iceland in Reykjavik on Tuesday.

Versatile Baker, who moved permanently from Stoke in the summer after two loan spells at Newport, has been part of a defence which will again be missing club captain James Clarke, who is sidelined for a month with a quad injury.

Baker played every minute of Newport’s 2-1 home defeat by former manager Mike Flynn's Cheltenham Town in their opening Bristol Street Motors EFL Trophy game on Tuesday night.

Young defender Nelson Sanca was a half-time substitute and could be a candidate to replace Baker as Newport look for a fourth consecutive league victory.

Sanca, 17, made three league appearances at the end of last season under previous boss Graham Coughlan.

Dafydd Williams, Newport’s assistant coach, said after the Cheltenham reverse: "We will regroup, we will analyse this game and then focus on Port Vale. We have plenty to think about.”

Cardiff loanee Kieron Evans put Newport ahead before young keeper Jacob Carney was shown a red card just before the interval.

Cheltenham took advantage of the man advantage to score second-half goals through Harrison Sohna and another Cardiff loanee, Joe Colwill – his third goal against Newport this season.

Williams said former Manchester United youngster Carney and others would learn from his straight red, having hauled down Manni Norkett on the edge of the box.

“We all need to learn from it. The set-play has gone in, we are not really set up for the second ball even though we have enough players to deal with it and we haven’t," he added.

“So he has been let down by a couple of his colleagues as well, so it works both ways.

“We are all here to learn. Jacob will certainly learn from that, as should the others [over what happened] leading to that red card.”

Carney, who joined from Sunderland in the summer, will serve a ban within the competition, so will be available for the Vale game.

First-choice keeper Nick Townsend, who took over from Carney last night, is also available. He has previously seen international action for Antigua and Barbuda, but remains in Wales in this window.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City loan players Joel Colwill and Kieron Evans both scored as 10-man Newport County lost 2-1 at home to Cheltenham Town in the opening game of their EFL Trophy campaign.

Evans put Newport ahead in the first half before home goalkeeper Jacob Carney was shown a red card.

Cheltenham took advantage of their numerical advantage as Harrison Sohna and Colwill scored, with Colwill taking his tally to three this season against the Exiles.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

These are early days in new surroundings for Ciaran Brennan - but the defender says Newport County already feels like home.

Brennan, 24, made the summer switch to Newport in League Two, after 11 years attached to Sheffield Wednesday.

But he declared: “I am loving it here. I have said a few times already that it feels like home here.”

Brennan actually joined his hometown club Wednesday at under-14 level and having come through their academy system made 18 league and cup appearances for the Hillsborough team.

His stay also included loan spells at Gainsborough Trinity, Notts County, Swindon Town and last season Hartlepool United.

During the summer Brennan became one of Newport’s 17 recruits, signing a two year deal which should bring stability for the Republic of Ireland Under-19 international. Now he aims to do more than make up the numbers at Newport.

"I aim to play as many games as I can and ultimately be seen as one of the key players in the team," said Brennan.

“I know I can get to that, I just need to keep showing the fans what I can do.

“I have been on a few loan moves in my career but I would say being at a club permanently has a different feeling.

“I feel like Newport is my club and that makes the results of the team mean so much more because on loan you know in the back of your mind that you are there for a short time to improve yourself.”

Certainly Brennan has made an impression, showing his versatility by playing as a holding midfield player, but preferring a role in the back line.

Newport’s 1-0 win at Morecambe last Saturday provided the team with their first clean sheet of the League Two campaign, elevating County to fourth in the early table after three consecutive victories.

With club captain and centre back James Clarke likely to be missing for a month due to a quad injury, it seems Brennan is set to occupy the position in which he feels most at home.

Newport look to make it four league wins in a row for the first time since February when they entertain Port Vale on Saturday.

if they can add to their two wins at Rodney Parade to date, Brennan will enjoy even more the home comforts of life at Newport County.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Nelson Jardim says Newport County are "lucky" to have goalkeeper Nick Townsend in their ranks.

The 29-year-old produced a terrific display, denying the likes of Gwion Edwards and Callum Jones, to keep a first clean sheet of the season as the Exiles won 1-0 at Morecambe.

Victory was Newport's third in succession in League Two, and head coach Jardim lauded Townsend after his pivotal role in the triumph over the Shrimps.

"He's been great. He's well-known in this league, an experienced goalkeeper," Jardim said of Townsend.

"We're lucky to have him. Today was one of those days where the team needed him.

"He was definitely one of the parts of the success that we had today, but I just want to give praise to the whole team for the way we performed."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Nelson Jardim says Newport County's run of three successive wins is reward for the players' tireless efforts on the training ground.

The Exiles were beaten 3-2 by Cheltenham Town in their League Two opener before losing 4-1 at Leyton Orient in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.

After a tricky start, Newport have since beaten Doncaster Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Morecambe to move up to fourth in the league table.

While Jardim is pleased with his side's recent improvement, the head coach admits his players still have plenty to work on following their triumph at Morecambe.

"We know that (run of wins) is the result of what we've been doing on the training ground," Jardim said.

"The boys have been great, they've been putting in really hard work every day and this is just the result of that.

"I think we can all see everything is coming together now and hopefully we can keep going, but we know there's a lot of work to be done.

"We have to go back on Monday and make sure we improve because there were a lot of things I did not like today (against Morecambe), and we are not happy with that.

"It's just a case of reviewing it and improving."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County defender James Clarke has been ruled out of action for at least four weeks due to a quad injury.

The centre-back featured in each of the Exiles' opening four matches of the 2024-25 season but was left out of the squad for their 1-0 win at Morecambe.

And head coach Nelson Jardim has confirmed the 34-year-old will be sidelined for around a month.

"It's unfortunately a big loss for us, one of our skippers," said Jardim.

"He'll be out for at least four weeks.

"It's going to be a big loss for us, but as you could see today [against Morecambe], we've got a good group and anyone coming in, they will do the job."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County could be without club captain James Clarke for the League Two trip to Morecambe on Saturday.

Central defender Clarke picked up a leg injury in training this week and is being assessed ahead of the visit to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Head coach Nelson Jardim said: “Depending on the test we will take the decision on whether he travels.”

At 34 and with nearly 100 Newport appearances under his belt, Clarke is the most experienced player in the Exiles’ defensive line.

Jardim admitted: “He has been great on and off the pitch so we hope he will be okay.”

But he added: “I am confident we are covered. We have a good group of defenders and I think we are covered if he is not available. It will be a chance for others to come in and do the job.”

Newport, looking for their first league away win after two home victories, are still without former Haverfordwest midfielder Kai Whitmore. He will be ruled out for another three weeks with a calf injury.

Meanwhile former Queens Park Rangers striker Hamzad Kargbo has had shoulder surgery this week after being injured during a cameo substitute appearance on his debut in the season opening 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham.

“We reckon Hamzad will be out for the next three months," said Jardim.

"With the surgery everything went well, he has started his process of recovery. The medical department think he will be back the first week in December.”

Given Kargbo’s injury Newport went into the final day of the transfer window, looking to add another striker to their ranks.

Newport are also hoping new midfield duo Jamie Miley and Noah Mawene will be available for the Morecambe game.

Miley was signed on a season loan from Newcastle United, while Mawene joined on loan from Preston North End.

On Friday the club was awaiting EFL clearance for the pair to feature.