Newport County Face Test Of Character In Wiltshire

Newport County go to Wiltshire in search of a much-needed League Two victory on Saturday (3pm).

Their last win was in mid October and County are in danger of slipping away from the play-off contenders.

Manager Michael Flynn’s team have failed to win in their last six League games, crashed to a 2-1 home defeat against Barnet in midweek and lie 10th.

Newport are four points below the play-off places and face a difficult test against fifth-placed Swindon Town.

This will be the first League meeting between the clubs for 30 years and Swindon are intent on bouncing straight back to League One after being relegated last season.

County boss Flynn is concerned that his team have conceded late goals in their last three games, against Port Vale, Accrington and Barnet.

“The easy thing to say would be that fitness levels are to blame,” said Flynn.

“But I can guarantee there won’t be many fitter teams than us in this league. The amount of work they do, running they do during the game shows that.

“We have switched off at times and that’s what has cost us. If the games ended on 80 minutes then we would be third, I think.

“It’s the manner of how it has happened that is the frustrating thing.

“But hopefully it will give us the kick-start we need.”

“I’m sure a lot of people think it’s alarming, but it’s fine margins.

“There will be changes, but more to freshen things up than having a go at them.”

Robbie Willmott is out with concussion, while David Pipe will be assessed close to kick-off after taking a knock to his cheek which affected his vision.

Captain Joss Labadie returned after five weeks out with a hamstring injury, going on from the bench against Barnet.

“It’s great to have Joss back,” said Flynn. “That was the only positive from the game against Barnet. When he is on the pitch we look a different team.”

Defender Mark O’Brien should be fit to play, but are continuing to monitor his foot injury.

Swindon manager Flitcroft believes Town’s 3-2 midweek defeat v Grimsby Town was a reminder to his players of the concentration levels needed to succeed in League Two.

“We switched off at key moments.,” said Flitcroft.

“It’s disappointing because we fought tooth and nail to get back in a positive equity and to be 2-1 up and lost the opportunity of another win on the road.

“We had it in our hands and gave it away.

“It is an honest division, full of players who are not on fantastic money. But they commit to the work and the job and we saw a real spirited effort from Grimsby.’

“I just think their energy and their intent, not that it caught us out, but they got it forward very early. We knew they would.

“It was a slow start from us.’’

Newport County, possible: Day, Butler, White, O’Brien, Demetriou, Pipe, Bennett, Dolan, Labadie (capt), Nouble, Amond. Bench, from: Bittner (gk), Rigg, Reynolds, Jackson, McCoulsky, Tozer, Owen-Evans, Quigley.

Swindon’s line-up vs Grimsby in midweek (4-2-3-1): Charles-Cook; Purkiss, Preston, Lancashire (capt), Taylor; Dunne, Goddard; Woolery, Anderson, Gordon; H Smith.

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