Striker Frank Nouble and goalkeeper Joe Day have a big night ahead of them when Newport County play Morecambe at home this evening (Tuesday, 7.45pm).
Nouble is one booking away from a two-match suspension which would mean he would miss Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Spurs, while Day makes his 150th league appearance for the Exiles.
Manager Michael Flynn says the clash with Morecambe is more important than the cup tie with both Nouble and Day certain to start.
Nouble is on nine bookings, one away from a ban, while Flynn describes Day as ‘the best goalkeeper in the League Two by a country mile.’
Day has a crucial role in County’s push for promotion and Flynn said: “He’s a great character and a joy to work with.
“Joe is somebody the boys look up to.
“There is no arrogance or cockiness about him, he gets on with his job. A credit to himself, his family and the Football Club.”
Day joined Newport from Peterborough three years ago, was in the team who achieved the Great Escape from relegation last season and they are challenging for the play-offs this time.
“It’s been quite a varied time since I’ve been here with all the changes,” says Day. “Now I feel the club are moving in the right direction and we finally have that sense of stability.”
Captain Joss Labadie and Matty Dolan this afternoon will have late fitness tests after missing Newport’s 2-1 home win against Crawley Town on Friday suffering from sore hamstrings.
Ben Tozer and Josh Sheehan stepped in and played well, but Flynn would love to have Labadie and Dolan available.
Loan signing Emmanuel Osadebe, who has joined County from Cambridge United, is eligible to play for the first time.
Newport have eared four successive wins in 2018, including their FA Cup victory against Leeds United, and will go fifth in the table with a win against Morecambe.
They would love to make it five before turning to Saturday’s cup clash with Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs at home on Saturday (5.30pm).
The Shrimpers won 2-1 at the Globe Arena and would complete a double if they win at Rodney Parade.
“It was a terrible performance, a gutless performance, a spineless performance,” said Flynn.
“We pulled out of tackles and were beaten up all around the park.
“I told them it was a performance I don’t want to be associated with because it’s not what I’m about.
“I don’t think match against Morecambe now is about revenge. We were poor up there, didn’t deserve to win and now we’ve got a chance to put it right.”
Morecambe have earned only two wins in their last 16 away matches, but they have earned seven points from their last six fixtures and are just outside the relegation zone in 19th place.
Newport County, possible: Day, Pipe, White, Demetriou, Butler, Tozer or Labidie, Bennett, Willmott, Sheehan or Dolan, Nouble; Amond. Bench: Bittner, O’Brien, Jahraldo-Martin, McCoulsky, Hayes, Reid, Osadebe.