Matt Finish – Green And Rhead Threat To Newport

Former Cardiff City and Newport County striker Matt Green returns to Wales on Saturday.

Pace ace Green plays alongside 6ft 3ins Matt Rhead in Lincoln City’s attack and they take on Newport County in a League Two promotion clash at Rodney Parade (3pm).

The Imps have won their last four fixtures and Green has netted in all of them, while the visitors have kept things tight at the back and have conceded only 19 League goals.

That’s the second best defensive record in the division behind Coventry City (14).

Green, 30, says Lincoln believe have confidence in their promotion chase, saying: “It would be rude not to believe, we have to believe.

“It’s a huge game against Newport which is another six pointer.

Matt Green. The former Newport County striker plays for Lincoln City at Rodney Parade on Saturday. Pic: Getty Images.

“We all have to be positive and and then the world is our oyster.”

County manager Michael Flynn says: “This is a tough game.

“They are are a strong team on a good run of form. It will be a battle and it’s one we are up for.

“Danny Cowley has recruited well, they have a lot of good players they are in one of the play-off places.

“They are still on a high after earning promotion to the Football League last season and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.

“If we are not fully focused we’ll probably end up being beaten. I’ll make sure they are focused and hopefully we can earn three points.”

Lincoln swept into the last eight of the FA Cup before falling against eventual winners Arsenal, who defeated Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium.

This fixture is the first of four matches in nine days for County, who are out avoid the festive season misery of a year ago when they were in the middle of desperate run.

Newport went 12 games without a win – and suffered four successive defeats as 2016 ended.

Former Wales international Neil Eardley plays for Lincoln City against Newport County. Pic: Getty Images.

Mark O’Brien and David Pipe are expected to be fit after going off during the dramatic 2-1 win at Cambridge United last weekend when captain Joss Labadie netted a last gasp winner.

“I’m confident Mark and David will be available,” said Michael Flynn, who will be without injured players Marlon Jackson and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin.

County are hoping for a big attendance after more than 3,000 spectators watched the 3-3 draw against Carlisle and Flynn says: “The fans have been superb all season. Fair play to them at Cambridge – they were magnificent. I’m glad we managed to win for those who made the trip.

“Newport supporters have been amazing.”

Manager Danny Cowley named an unchanged Lincoln line-up when they defeated Accrington and is likely to stick with the same starting XI again.

They include former Wales international Neil Eardley.

Newport County, possible: Day, Pipe, White, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler, Labadie, Dolan, Tozer, Nouble, McCoulsky.

Lincoln City, possible (4-4-2): Vickers, Eardley, Waterfall, Raggett, Habergham, Anderson, Woodyard, Bostwick, Stewart, Rhead, Green.

County will close part of their ground for two League Two home matches against Lincoln and then Exeter City in New Year’s Day.

Part of the Hazell Terrace behind the managerial dug-outs at Newport’s Rodney Parade home will be closed after objects were thrown onto the technical areas during the clash with Carlisle.

The Football Association are investigating the incidents.

League Two fixtures

Tonight: Coventry City vs Wycombe Wanderers (Friday, 7.45pm)

Saturday (all 3pm): Accrington Stanley v Crawley Town, Barnet v Cheltenham Town, Colchester United v Port Vale, Crewe Alexandra v Swindon Town, Forest Green Rovers v Carlisle United, Luton Town v Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town v Morecambe, Notts County v Cambridge United, Stevenage v Chesterfield, Yeovil Town v Exeter City.

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