Newport County

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County are "lucky" to have goalkeeper Nick Townsend in their ranks.

The 29-year-old produced a terrific display, denying the likes of Gwion Edwards and Callum Jones, to keep a first clean sheet of the season as the Exiles won 1-0 at Morecambe.

Victory was Newport's third in succession in League Two, and head coach Jardim lauded Townsend after his pivotal role in the triumph over the Shrimps.

"He's been great. He's well-known in this league, an experienced goalkeeper," Jardim said of Townsend.

"We're lucky to have him. Today was one of those days where the team needed him.

"He was definitely one of the parts of the success that we had today, but I just want to give praise to the whole team for the way we performed."

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Nelson Jardim says Newport County's run of three successive wins is reward for the players' tireless efforts on the training ground.

The Exiles were beaten 3-2 by Cheltenham Town in their League Two opener before losing 4-1 at Leyton Orient in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.

After a tricky start, Newport have since beaten Doncaster Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Morecambe to move up to fourth in the league table.

While Jardim is pleased with his side's recent improvement, the head coach admits his players still have plenty to work on following their triumph at Morecambe.

"We know that (run of wins) is the result of what we've been doing on the training ground," Jardim said.

"The boys have been great, they've been putting in really hard work every day and this is just the result of that.

"I think we can all see everything is coming together now and hopefully we can keep going, but we know there's a lot of work to be done.

"We have to go back on Monday and make sure we improve because there were a lot of things I did not like today (against Morecambe), and we are not happy with that.

"It's just a case of reviewing it and improving."

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Newport County defender James Clarke has been ruled out of action for at least four weeks due to a quad injury.

The centre-back featured in each of the Exiles' opening four matches of the 2024-25 season but was left out of the squad for their 1-0 win at Morecambe.

And head coach Nelson Jardim has confirmed the 34-year-old will be sidelined for around a month.

"It's unfortunately a big loss for us, one of our skippers," said Jardim.

"He'll be out for at least four weeks.

"It's going to be a big loss for us, but as you could see today [against Morecambe], we've got a good group and anyone coming in, they will do the job."

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Newport County could be without club captain James Clarke for the League Two trip to Morecambe on Saturday.

Central defender Clarke picked up a leg injury in training this week and is being assessed ahead of the visit to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Head coach Nelson Jardim said: “Depending on the test we will take the decision on whether he travels.”

At 34 and with nearly 100 Newport appearances under his belt, Clarke is the most experienced player in the Exiles’ defensive line.

Jardim admitted: “He has been great on and off the pitch so we hope he will be okay.”

But he added: “I am confident we are covered. We have a good group of defenders and I think we are covered if he is not available. It will be a chance for others to come in and do the job.”

Newport, looking for their first league away win after two home victories, are still without former Haverfordwest midfielder Kai Whitmore. He will be ruled out for another three weeks with a calf injury.

Meanwhile former Queens Park Rangers striker Hamzad Kargbo has had shoulder surgery this week after being injured during a cameo substitute appearance on his debut in the season opening 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham.

“We reckon Hamzad will be out for the next three months," said Jardim.

"With the surgery everything went well, he has started his process of recovery. The medical department think he will be back the first week in December.”

Given Kargbo’s injury Newport went into the final day of the transfer window, looking to add another striker to their ranks.

Newport are also hoping new midfield duo Jamie Miley and Noah Mawene will be available for the Morecambe game.

Miley was signed on a season loan from Newcastle United, while Mawene joined on loan from Preston North End.

On Friday the club was awaiting EFL clearance for the pair to feature.

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Courtney Baker-Richardson believes fans can expect "good things" from Newport County following a major overhaul at the club over the summer.

Head coach Nelson Jardim was appointed as Graham Coughlan's successor in July, with the Exiles signing 14 players across the course of the summer transfer window to date.

Baker-Richardson - who scored eight goals in 31 league appearances during his first spell at Newport in 2021-22 - was among the players to join the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Having scored twice in his opening three league appearances of the campaign, Baker-Richardson is confident the Newport faithful will enjoy watching their side this season.

"There's massive changes going on at the club, we know that," he said.

"I think it's a similar style of football to when I was first here which is why I think we did so well in the first stage.

"We're trying to replicate ball-playing football, we're not just trying to lump it and kick it.

"I think the fans can expect good things from us."

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Nelson Jardim says there's a "good vibe" at Newport County's training ground after the Exiles recovered from a last-gasp loss to Cheltenham Town on the opening day of the League Two campaign.

Newport conceded in injury time to lose 3-2 at Cheltenham, but have beaten Doncaster Rovers and Accrington Stanley 3-1 at Rodney Parade since the defeat by Michael Flynn's Robins.

Jardim, who replaced Graham Coughlan as boss in the summer, believes Newport are back on track having won successive games on home soil.

"The first week away, the Cheltenham game, we didn't do a bad game, we had to play six minutes with 10 men and we just lost that draw," he said.

"These two wins put us back on track and give us that confidence to play because it's tough.

"These wins help the boys to build and to get the confidence to play which is something we are trying to do, but it will take time.

"We have very young players and there's a lot of work to do, but we have a good group. There's a good vibe around our training ground every day."

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Newport County will assess the extent of Kai Whitmore's calf injury after the midfielder missed his side's 3-1 win over Accrington Stanley.

Whitmore featured against both Cheltenham Town and Leyton Orient before scoring in a stunning 3-1 comeback win against Doncaster Rovers on his home debut for the Exiles.

But the 23-year-old was absent from the matchday squad as Nelson Jardim's side secured a second triumph in succession at Rodney Parade by beating Accrington Stanley.

"He picked up an injury unfortunately after his great game last week," said Jardim.

"It's unfortunate for him and for us, it's one less option.

"I don't know how many weeks he's going to be out, surely [he will] not [be back] next week.

"We'll assess him and see how it goes.

"It's so unlucky for him and for us. He knows that he's got good people around him.

"He just needs to focus on his recovery and come back as quickly as possible to help the team."

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Newport County boss Nelson Jardim is targeting "at least one or two" more signings in the latter stages of the transfer window.

Prior to their 3-1 win against Accrington Stanley, the Exiles made their 14th signing of the summer by bringing in midfielder Kieron Evans on loan from Cardiff City.

But head coach Jardim says Newport still have further squad additions in their sights ahead of Friday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline.

"We had on our radar, two or three," he said.

"Kieron Evans signed yesterday, so it's another one that will compete and bring quality and more options to the team.

"We're looking to sign at least another one or two players, let's see how it goes.

"We're not rushing, we want to make sure that anyone coming in is the right player, the right character and knowing that he's coming into a team that is always looking to improve every day."

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Cameron Antwi says it was a “risk” to turn down a new deal at Cardiff City to join neighbours Newport County - but is sure he made the right choice.

The former Fulham youngster made the move down the M4 in the summer.

Though it meant dropping down to League Two, the midfielder opted to sign a two-year deal with the Exiles rather than accepting an offer to remain at Championship side Cardiff.

“I didn’t feel like it was a big decision," said Antwi.

"I felt it was an easy decision, because at my age I want to be playing first-team games and feel I am good enough to.

“So when Newport came about and with the interest they were showing, it was the right decision for me to say no to Cardiff, take a risk and come here to play."

Antwi, 22, began his professional career with Blackpool, making a League Cup appearance for the Seasiders and gaining experience during loans at Southport and Telford.

Having joined Cardiff in 2022, he made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup and impressed enough to be offered a new contract in the summer.

“They offered me a contract a couple of times. They wanted me to stay but I just felt it was the right time to move on and impose myself on first-team football," he said.

“I thought, 'Let's take the risk and go'. I am happy I took that risk and feel it is going well so far.”

Antwi made an eye-catching start to his Newport career, scoring a spectacular goal in a pre-season win over Pontypridd. More importantly, he has started both the club's League Two games to date.

“I like to get on the ball, start attacks and also link up with players," he said.

"But I can also do the other side of the game, win tackles and headers. I feel I am a rounded player.”

London-born Antwi has been joined by former Cardiff team-mate Kieron Evans, who has joined Newport on a season-long loan.

Though Evans' arrival adds competition for a starting berth, Antwi is looking forward to seeing the Wales Under-20 international in an amber shirt.

“He is a very good player, right-footed, left-footed, does set-pieces, can beat his man, can link up and score goals and assists as well," Antwi added.

"It's good to have competition in the team. When you are around good players you want to perform better."

With two games gone of the new League Two season for a new-look Newport County, it seems there's some optimism among supporters.

We asked for your thoughts on the early signs for Nelson Jardim's side, and here are a selection of the replies.

Kate: With so many young fresh faces, the squad has the potential to really excite. With more experience returning we could really push on, but there is still a danger with a lack of depth outside the first dozen or so. Injury levels will be crucial to the level of success.

P: Until the second half of the match against Doncaster Rovers I was underwhelmed by the performances of the Exiles this season. I also watched them live at Kidderminster during preseason and that, and the other results from preseason, filled me with pessimism. Their performance in the second half of the Doncaster match gives me hope.

Neil: I’m quietly confident. Having seen the first two league games, the new signings look good. It is a new style of football which will take some time but hopefully we can hold our own this season and then go for honours next season with a settled team

Oliver: Attacking-wise we will be fine this season and at times we look really solid at the back. However, Nick Townsend looks so uncomfortable trying to play out from the back and moving forward as a club we should look to replace him by the end of the season. The new signings have proven themselves and have already settled in. Exciting times to be a County fan.

Che: We been good but we need improvement

Terry: With so many new signings, I was pleasantly surprised with the form in the 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham. However my worries resurfaced when too many changes meant 4-1 League Cup reverse at Leyton Orient. But the performance, and the new style of play, in beating against Doncaster, makes me feel this could be an excellent season for the Exiles.

You can have your say after the weekend's game against Accrington Stanley here, external

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Nelson Jardim expects Newport County to be active in the transfer market as the summer window enters its final week.

Newport have already overhauled their squad this summer, with Cardiff City loanee Kieron Evans becoming their 14th recruit of the window on Friday.

But they will look to strengthen further before the 23:00 BST deadline on 30 August.

Speaking before Evans' loan was announced, Jardim said: “We are quite happy with everything we have so far.

"We don’t hide we are still looking for one or two players who we believe will improve the team, will give me more solutions and probably a bit more balance as well.”

Jardim says Newport have a “couple of players” on their radar with a striker thought to be among the priorities, especially given the injury to Hamza Kargbo, who is set to miss three months with a shoulder problem.

Jardim said: “With a striker, if [there is] something we feel is right for us, we will be looking at it.

“As a team I think we are doing quite well. We have five goals in two [League Two] games, but we are doing that as a team.

“The better you do collectively, obviously the strikers will benefit from it. So more goals is something we are looking for.”

This window has seen Newport sell last season’s 25-goal top scorer Will Evans to League One Mansfield Town .

Jardim says the club are not planning any further sales in the coming week.

"At the moment we are not thinking about anyone leaving," he said.

"You never know, anything can happen, but that is not part of the plan.”

Jardim feels he will be able to reflect with some satisfaction on Newport's transfer dealings in their first summer under former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins.

He said: “I think everyone is going to be relieved there are always a lot of things going on. I hope we are going to be happy.”

It's been an eventful start to the season for Newport County to say the least.

After that dramatic late defeat at Michael Flynn's Cheltenham Town, and an EFL Trophy thumping at Leyton Orient, it looked worrying for Nelson Jardim and his raft of new players.

But some stunning goals and a Rodney Parade roar later, the 3-1 win over Doncaster Rovers has restored the optimism going into this weekend's visit of Accrington Stanley.

But what do you make of County's start? Are you excited by the Exiles' early season showings? Or is the jury out on Jardim?

You can let us know your thoughts by sending your views here, external