Newport County AFC vs Northampton Town. Sky Bet League Two.
Rodney ParadeAttendance2,730.
Monday 26 November 2018 17:09, UK
Newport pair Mark O'Brien and Andrew Crofts are in contention to start against Northampton.
The duo played 45 minutes of the 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday, with skipper Crofts featuring for the first time since the end of August after an Achilles problem.
Tyler Forbes and Joss Labadie are still not fit to return and Keanu Marsh-Brown is also doubtful with a thigh strain as County seek to improve on a record of one win in six games. Scot Bennett, Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott will miss the Sky Bet League Two clash with hamstring injuries.
Northampton boss Keith Curle could make changes, both in personnel and formation, despite his side stretching their unbeaten run to five games on Saturday. The Cobblers have conceded seven goals in three games and Curle could revert to a flat back four, with Aaron Pierre and Jordan Turnbull possibly at the heart of the defence.
Matt Crooks and Dean Bowditch remain injured and Daniel Powell is pushing for a starting spot in midfield. Junior Morais completes a three-match ban for his FA Cup red card at Lincoln earlier this month. Defender Leon Barnett, who has not featured since the start of October, has been advised to retire due to a heart condition.
Newport have lost just one of their last 11 home league games against Northampton (W7 D3), going down 1-2 in January 2014.
Northampton have been beaten just once in their last eight meetings with Newport in all competitions (W6 D1), failing to score two or more goals in a single match just once in that run.
Newport have won nine of their last 12 home games in League Two (D2 L1), after winning none of their previous seven (D5 L2).
Northampton are unbeaten in their last five league games, winning three (D2), as many as they managed in their previous 17 (D7 L7).
Since losing each of his first five league meetings with Newport as a manager, Northampton boss Keith Curle has since gone three without defeat against the Exiles (W1 D2).
