Newport County V Northampton at Rodney Parade : Match Preview

03 January 2014 08:32
Newport County V Northampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Pidgeley to play for Exiles

Newport goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley looks set to play through the pain when they welcome Northampton.


The former Exeter shot-stopper sustained a broken thumb in the 1-0 loss to Burton last Saturday and with back-up Jamie Stephens sidelined with a hamstring injury, manager Justin Edinburgh looks set to ask Pidgeley to start.


Striker Aaron O'Connor is closing in on a return to fitness having been sidelined since May with a groin injury but this match looks to have come too soon for last season's top scorer.


Midfielder Max Porter is also back in training while Tom Naylor will feature after extending his loan stay from Derby until the end of the season.


Struggling Northampton will take a much-changed squad as they look to climb off the foot of League Two.


Strikers Hallam Hope and Antonio German arrived from Everton and Gillingham respectively on New Year's Day and go straight into contention for their debuts.


Their arrivals come as attacking duo Izale McLeod and Luke Norris have returned to their parent clubs, fellow striker Roy O'Donovan is in Dubai discussing a potential overseas move and defender Matt Heath has departed following the expiration of his short-term contract.


Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Ian Morris, Clive Platt, Kelvin Langmead, Lewis Hornby and Alex Nicholls all remain sidelined, but midfielder Darren Carter makes his delayed return from a one-match suspension after the New Year's Day clash against Chesterfield was postponed.


Source: PA