Newport County

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Despite late heartbreak against Gillingham on Saturday, Newport County supporters were given a glimpse of what their January reinforcements can offer.

Two of the Exiles' newest arrivals, former County defender Ryan Delaney and Shrewsbury loanee Harrison Biggins, were put straight into the starting line-up, and both made strong impressions.

"They bring a lot of experience and a lot of energy," County boss Fuchs said.

"Biggins ran about 12,000 kilometres. He was omnipresent, he was everywhere.

"It's just the personality he has, the presence he has on the field. He was great in both boxes."

Delaney's return also pleased the manager, who felt the centre back slotted back into life at Rodney Parade seamlessly.

"It's good to see how they all blend in right away," Fuchs said.

"Ryan especially, with his past at Newport. It feels like there's unfinished business. They left it all out there."

Cardiff loanee Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and permanent signing James Crole were introduced from the bench.

Nyakuhwa conceded the penalty that gave Gillingham the chance to equalise, but Fuchs believes he will learn from his "mistake" and showed flashes of what County fans can expect with his pace on the wing.

"He knows he should have cleared the ball with his first touch instead of taking another touch," Fuchs said.

Crole, who arrived from Penybont and replaced Opoku in the 89th minute, may need time to adapt to the demands of League Two.

The Cymru Premier's top scorer is searching for his first goal in amber, something County fans hope will come soon with the Exiles having scored the fourth fewest goals in the division this season.

With the arrival of Lewis Jamieson adding further firepower, Fuchs will be hoping to rectify this issue in front of goal.

Jamieson, who was not registered in time for the Gillingham match, will be available when Newport host Chesterfield on Saturday, 24 January (15:00 GMT).

And Fuchs remains optimistic about what his new-look squad can become adding

"I'm looking forward to seeing more of the new signings," added Fuchs.

"It was a good start today with the new boys. But there's really more to come."

Image source, FAW

Malcolm Allen says James Crole deserves his chance at Newport County – but says the striker's mindset must be right if he is to thrive in the EFL.

Former Cardiff City youngster Crole joined League Two strugglers Newport from Cymru Premier side Penybont earlier this week.

Crole has 11 Penybont goals this season having netted 16 times in 2024-25.

But ex-Wales and Newcastle forward Allen, a Cymru Premier pundit, has questioned Crole's "attitude".

"I've seen Penybont win and he's scored goals and I've seen Penybont lose and he looked uninterested to compete and fight," Allen told Welsh language podcast Y Coridor Ansicrwydd.

"I have no doubt about his ability - the way he is in the box and how he loses defenders, I like. When he's on his day, he's the best forward in the league.

"He deserves the chance [at Newport] and I hope he proves me wrong with his attitude."

Fellow former Wales international Owain Tudur Jones says it is "brilliant" to see Newport giving another Cymru Player an opportunity in the EFL.

The Exiles have previously signed the likes of James Waite, Nathan Wood, Will Evans and Kai Whitmore from the Welsh top flight.

"We're in a situation where we are supporting the [Cymru Premier] league and you don't want to see the players leaving, you want a strong league," Jones told Y Coridor Ansicrwydd.

"But also, there are a few players that you think are a little too good and deserve a go [in better leagues].

"From a Newport perspective, it's great that they've turned out to be the club that is giving these opportunities. James Crole is a good player. He's a technical player and he's big and he deserves the chance."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

Newport County travel to Gillingham on Saturday (15:00 GMT) having managed to finally secure their first home league win of the season against Crewe in their final match of 2025.

It was a result County boss Christian Fuchs described as "not only a rock, but it's like a mountain falling off your shoulders".

"We always look at the first home win, but I'm looking at those last seven or eight league games where the performances have steadily improved," he added.

The improvement was seen in Newport's most recent outing, at league leaders Bromley, where they fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Fuchs said: "Going to Bromley, top of the table, and being disappointed after the game that we didn't win - that was not the mentality when I came in here.

"Now, we go into every game to win. That's the part that will get us where we want to be and that makes me really happy."

Having not played for 17 days - because of weather and FA Cup postponements - Newport boss Fuchs has focused on togetherness within his team.

He revealed the players had a "nice spa retreat for team building and team bonding".

Fuch's side face 16th-placed Gillingham at Priestfield with the Exiles knowing a result could lift them off the foot of the League Two table.

The hosts go into the game off the back of their own poor form, having failed to win in nine league games.

Newport have won five of their last six matches against the Kent club, with their most recent victory coming in the first round of the FA Cup - via penalties - earlier this season.

County supporters may travel with renewed optimism given the club's recent activity in the January transfer window.

Newport have secured the permanent signing of James Crole from Cymru Premier side Penybont plus three loan deals, with Tanatswa Nyakuhwa arriving from Cardiff, Ryan Delaney from Swindon and Harrison Biggins from fellow strugglers Shrewsbury.

The signings mean for the first time this season Fuchs has genuine depth in his squad.

"I've got decisions to make, but they are good decisions," he added.

"We have really good depth, quality players. You bring players in to raise the quality of the team and they definitely do."

Fuchs might not be done adding to his squad, confirming the club is "working on another signing".

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Ben Lloyd will remain part of Newport County's League Two relegation fight after extending his loan spell at Rodney Parade until the end of the season.

Swansea City academy product Lloyd joined the Exiles in July on a deal running until January.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has since made 23 appearances for Newport, scoring once.

"County look forward to Ben's career continuing to flourish in his remaining period at NP19," Newport said.

Wales Under-21 international Lloyd is under contract at Swansea until 2027.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

With Newport County fighting to avoid relegation from League Two, we asked fans what they think is needed during the January transfer window.

Here are some of the replies.

Carl - We need a striker, midfielder and a defender. Here's wishing we have given ourselves a chance but we need some new blood if we are to beat the drop. Simple as.

Jon - A creative midfielder and an enforcer [Joss] Labadie-style to accompany him. Up front? A goal scorer, a player who scares the opposition and excites the fans. Get our wingers down the flanks and get the crosses in. Defence now falling into place, just need to take the game to the opposition from the off and keep the fans entertained!

Morris - Clearly an experienced striker is needed. Obviously this is going to be expensive but failure to sign someone will probably lead to relegation. The defence is adequate as is the midfield. A striker is essential.

Mark - Priority is a striker that knows where the goal is. Not someone who scores one in 62 games. Goals win games. Defence is fine.

Terry - Firstly, as they did with on-loan Cardiff City striker Michael Reindorf, Newport must get rid of those unwanted players classed as 'driftwood.' Then comes the need for experience because taking an 18/19-year-old on loan from a Premier League club will not help at all.

Adam - We are in desperate need of some experience in the middle and some firepower going forward. I would like to see us bring in three or four players in this window to strengthen our chances in the relegation scrap.

Dan - There's a promising midfielder currently on loan at Chesterfield I think could help the side... the name's Sammy Braybrooke.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

As Newport County fight to avoid relegation from League Two, we are asking fans what they think is needed during the January transfer window.

The Exiles, managed by ex-Premier League winner Christian Fuchs, are two points away from safety with 22 games remaining.

Which players would you like to see recruited - and in what positions - and should some others leave?

Tell us your views by clicking here.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Michael Reindorf's loan spell at Newport County has been cut short with the striker returning to parent-club Cardiff City.

Reindorf joined the Exiles on a season-long deal last summer.

But the 20-year-old will now head back to the Bluebirds having scored once in 22 appearances during his spell with League Two strugglers Newport.

Reindorf, who has made four senior appearances for Cardiff, has not scored since Newport's opening game of the season and his most recent appearance was in early December.

Newport said they wished Reindorf "every future success".

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts believes Newport County have given themselves a chance of survival in League Two as a result of their recent improvement under Christian Fuchs.

The Exiles took four points from a possible six from their home double header with Barnet and Crewe Alexandra after Christmas and pushed leaders Bromley on New Year's Day, but ultimately lost 2-1.

They no longer sit at the bottom of the EFL and are just two points adrift of safety at present.

"When you're bottom of the league, that's your first target, get to second from bottom," Roberts told the Feast of Football podcast.

"When you've done that, it's then third from bottom and to start building momentum, start climbing up the league and putting some distance between you and the bottom two."

On Newport's loss to Bromley, Roberts added: "To go there and perform like they did, they got a late goal but just didn't have enough time to get an equaliser... but to go toe-to-toe with the best team in the league up to now, that should only give them confidence going into the second half of this season.

"I think they've got a chance now. They'd won three points in their previous 11 games before the four they got over the Christmas period, they got that first home win, so that takes a massive load of pressure off.

"They know what they've got to do, they've got to score more goals. They could do with bringing some more bodies into that forward area.

"It has been all doom and gloom, and I was worried for them, and I'm still worried for them, but I do think they'll be all right now."

Newport will have to do without Sammy Braybrooke for the remainder of the season after the Leicester City man's spell at Rodney Parade came to an end, with the influential midfielder instead joining Chesterfield on loan.

And Gillingham forward Sam Vokes - who has come up against Newport twice this season - feels Braybrooke's departure represents a huge blow.

"We've played them twice this year, he was the standout player for Newport from what I saw," said Vokes.

"I thought he was very good and I'm not surprised he got a move. I was quite surprised he didn't get a chance in a league above."