Newport County

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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."

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Newport County will assess Kai Whitmore and Tom Davies after the pair were withdrawn during Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Salford City through injury.

Midfielder Whitmore was forced off shortly before half-time at the Peninsula Stadium while full-back Davies - who joined the Exiles on a permanent deal from Cardiff City earlier this month - was substituted in the 73rd minute.

"Kai has got swelling on his eye, it was completely closed so he couldn't carry on," Newport boss Nelson Jardim told BBC Sport Wales.

"Tom, we will have to assess. Apparently it's a muscle injury.

"Again, it's a boy who has only been working with us for eight days roughly.

"I think he's just felt the intensity and the demands that these type of games bring. You need to be strong to face that. I think he just felt that a little bit today."

Shane McLoughlin gave the Exiles the lead with an 11th-minute penalty in Salford, although the hosts - who had Tyrese Fornah sent off in the second half - earned a point through Hakeeb Adelakun's spot-kick on 31 minutes.

It is a little bit concerning for Newport County at the moment.

After five defeats in a row, the Exiles remain too close to the League Two relegation places for comfort.

Friday's 2-1 home loss against Swindon Town - coupled with Saturday afternoon's results - means Nelson Jardim's side are 21st in the table, five points above Carlisle in the bottom two.

A trip to Salford on Tuesday and a home game with Barrow await, with potentially more business to be done in the transfer window.

But is it signings that will stop the rot? Have the injuries taken their toll? Is Jardim hampered by the recruitment policy? Or does the head coach have to take his share of the blame?

Most importantly, what needs to happen for Newport to start climbing away from danger?

You can have your say here, external.

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Nelson Jardim admits Newport's form isn't good enough after they slumped to a fifth straight defeat.

But the County head coach says he is not concerned because he backs his side's character to turn things around

Newport have registered just one win in the last three months, throwing away an early lead against Swindon at Rodney Parade to see them stay within six points of the bottom two.

It has prompted concerns of a relegation slog in the final months of the season, Newport now left to wait to discover rivals' results over the weekend before a trip to play-off chasing Salford on Tuesday.

But Jardim said he saw enough fight against Ian Holloway's side to inspire confidence, even if he accepts the current run is poor.

Speaking after Joe Westley's debut goal for Swindon sealed the 2-1 defeat, Jardim said: "It's not good and we're not happy with it - the boys are not happy with it, no-one is happy with it at this club.

"We know this defeat was off the back of a tough period against top teams away from home and we have more games left at home than anyone, but I agree it's not good enough and we have to find a way to start winning."

There were a smattering of boos as Jardim and his players left the field, but there was also acknowledgement that Newport did not lack effort against Ian Holloway's side.

Jardim added: "I'm not worried because I see the way the boys are fighting. We just need to make sure we are better in those key moments.

"It can be a worrying time but when you see the way the boys are working and fighting like they are with their character, it is a positive - but we obviously need to find a way together to start winning.

"I think they are strong enough mentally. From the first day I think they have shown they have mental strength to overcome difficulties, but this is not the best period of our season. We are now playing teams around us and we have to show we are better.

"We have the character in the team, but we have to make sure those key moments do not happen."

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Nelson Jardim admits Newport County are facing a different Swindon Town side tonight to the one they faced in September following the Robins' change of manager.

Ian Holloway was appointed as boss of the Wiltshire outfit in October after the sacking of Mark Kennedy.

Swindon - who won the reverse fixture 4-0 - have shown significant improvements under Holloway and are eighth in the form table over the past eight matches.

"Ian is someone I respect a lot. I remember the work he did at Blackpool, the way they played, it was a fantastic job," said Jardim.

"He's an experienced manager. They've changed a lot of things there and they are also a different team."

Newport go into Friday night's fixture with Swindon (19:45 GMT) at Rodney Parade having lost four matches in a row.

However, 13 of their final 22 matches this season will be played in Newport, and Jardim hopes home advantage can make a key difference as the Exiles bid to climb back up the League Two table.

"I'm really looking forward to it, especially for the fans, these games are special," added the Newport boss.

"We are a team that will play more games at home in the second part of the season.

"We've got 13 games at home and only nine away, we've been playing on the road for a long period now, so we've got that luxury to have more home games.

"This is obviously a massive game but we take each game as it comes."

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Nelson Jardim agrees with former Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe that his team need to be more physciaI and says they should take inspiration from two footballing greats.

Portugese Jardim says fellow countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe are fine examples of footballing physicality - as well as being excellent players.

The Newport County head coach says Ratcliffe's criticism has merit.

"You have to be physical and I am Portuguese and I used to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe and they are good players and they are also physical, so I agree with him," said Jardim.

Newport County will play 13 of their remaining 22 League Two games at home at Rodney Parade, beginning with the visit of Swindon Town on Friday.

Jardim welcomes that but has challenged his players to be more robust in their approach.

"There are a couple of variables," he added.

"One is genetics, second one is hard work and the third one is mentality as well because you can be big but away against big crowds you can go into your shell.

"So those are the areas that we are trying to improve these players and it is down to them to accept that and step up," Jardim said.

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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."