All of the important information you need ahead of Friday night’s trip to Newport County...
Fixture: Newport County vs Port Vale
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Venue: Rodney Parade
Date: Friday 10th November
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Preview
With back-to-back victories against Oxford United and Crewe Alexandra in the Emirates FA Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy respectively, Vale return to Sky Bet League Two action on Friday in high spirits.
Despite falling to a defeat to Swindon Town in their last league outing, Neil Aspin’s men have been in impressive form and they will see this fixture as another opportunity to continue that.
Opposition
Newport got off to a flying start in the fourth tier this season and they sat top of the division for a number of weeks, but a run of three games without victory has seen them slip down the table.
Now lying in 8th position, just two points outside the play-offs, Michael Flynn’s men will be determined to turn their fortunes around on home soil.
Their last league triumph came in the form of a 4-0 away win over Forest Green Rovers on the 14th of October.
Talk
Neil Aspin: “They’re all tough games and we know that if we drop below standards then we won’t pick up points.
“We are capable and the players who were rested on Tuesday have got to make sure they’re nice and fresh for Friday.
“Newport have had some good results lately and we know it will be a tough game.”
Michael Flynn: “I am expecting a tough game.
“Their results have picked up, the new manager has come in and they have been playing to their strengths.
“Every game is a difficult game and if you don’t prepare for that then you might as well pack up because you’ll get surprised or you’ll get brought back down to earth if you’re not concentrating.”
Team News
Vale’s latest recruit, Chris Regis, could make his league debut on Friday night following an impressive first outing in which he scored the opening goal in the victory over Crewe.
An influential player that Aspin won’t have at his disposal is Ben Whitfield, the midfielder continues to recover from an ankle injury. Joe Davis and Tyrone Barnett also remain out.
The game will also come too soon for Rob Lainton as he nears fitness, and long-term absentee Kjell Knops is still yet to feature this season.
Newport have been hit by a sickness bug during the week and Ben Tozer could be a doubt through illness, but it’s unknown if any other players have been affected as strongly.
Calaum Jahraido (hamstring) and Joss Labadie (calf) are also ruled out, but Mark O’Brien could feature despite suffering from a foot injury.
Another player who won’t be able to feature is Paul Hayes as he is ineligible until January.
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.