Newport County

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Midfielder Michael Spellman is yet to return to training as Newport County face a key run in their League Two relegation struggle.

Spellman has not featured since going off in the 19th minute of the Exiles' shock 2-1 win at Barnet with an ankle injury.

The attacking midfielder, who signed in the summer of 2024, missed County's late defeats by the promotion-chasing pair of Bromley and Walsall.

"It is going to be a bit longer, he cannot train," said Fuchs about the injury to Spellman, who is the club's joint top scorer with Nathan Opoku on five goals.

County were also without defender Lee Jenkins in the West Midlands after he came off in the first half against Bromley.

"It was a precaution with the shoulder, it didn't feel right and we had to leave him at home," said Fuchs about the centre-back, who has made 36 appearances since joining from Haverfordwest.

Newport host Shrewsbury at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 28 March (15:00 GMT) before a key home fixture against fellow strugglers Crawley on Friday, 3 April.

County are a point and a place above the relegation zone, albeit bottom club Barrow would go above them by winning their game in hand.

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Newport County boss Christian Fuchs says his side need to be smarter after missing an opportunity to inch away from the League Two relegation zone at Walsall.

The Exiles led 1-0 at half-time at Bescot Stadium thanks to Harrison Biggins' volleyed opener from James Crole's cross.

However, Daniel Kanu levelled just past the hour and then Alex Pattison won it for the play-off hopefuls with a strike from distance in the sixth minute of added time.

County were helped by defeats for fellow strugglers Barrow, Harrogate, Crawley and Tranmere and remain a point and a place above the drop zone.

"It's a missed opportunity and that definitely hurts," said Fuchs, whose side travelled to the West Midlands after a late 1-0 loss to promotion-chasing Bromley in midweek.

"We have now missed two opportunities to push forward and to go further up the table.

"There are seven games to go and we need to be more clinical and take advantage of chances that we have.

"We need to be smarter at times. When you have the opportunity to get one point away from home in Walsall, then you should take that point.

"I'm happy with the performance, but again we didn't walk away with any points and that's the part that we definitely need to fix."

Bottom club Barrow are two points worse off than County, but have a game in hand, while the Exiles also travel to Cumbria on the last day of the season.

Fuchs' side host 19th-placed Shrewsbury, who have moved to the brink of safety, on Saturday, 29 March.

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Walsall interim boss Darren Byfield says Christian Fuchs has done a "wonderful job" since he took charge of Newport County in November.

Byfield's Saddlers side host the Exiles on Saturday (15:00 GMT) and are looking to climb into the League Two play-off spots, while Newport are determined to remain out of the relegation zone.

Walsall won the reverse fixture 4-2 in early November, shortly before former boss Dave Hughes was sacked by the Welsh club.

But Byfield expects a different test against this time around.

"We'd done well to come away with the three points at Rodney Parade, which is always a tough place to go," he told Walsall's official website.

"They're a good team that don't want to be in the position that they're in. Like ourselves - we want to be higher. That's how we have to look at it.

"They're coming to our ground and we have to make sure we put up that fight to make sure we get those three points."

On Fuchs, Byfield commented: "Christian has come in and done a wonderful job in turning it around for the boys and we know it's going to be a really tough game come Saturday.

"We have to just think about causing them as many problems as we can and that's what we are.

"We know what they'll bring by watching them and we have to try and stop it and let them worry about us. That's how it's going to be, they have to worry about the players that we have."

Newport sit 22nd in the fourth tier, one point above Harrogate Town and two clear of bottom side Barrow.

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Newport boss Christian Fuchs insists injuries are not a concern after defender Lee Jenkins came off with a shoulder problem in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat against League Two leaders Bromley.

The extent of the injury is still unknown, with Fuchs saying Jenkins "is still being assessed".

"It's a shoulder injury," Fuchs added. "He was still able to continue but eventually the pain got too much for him."

County are still without joint top goalscorer Michael Spellman after the midfielder was forced off against Barnet earlier this month.

Spellman has made 33 appearances for the Exiles this season, scoring five goals, and Fuchs is confident he will make a return before the end of the season.

"I expect to have him back this season," said Fuchs.

"He's been a great player, he's been building confidence the last few years."

Despite the injury setbacks, the County manager believes there is enough depth in the squad and praised Ben Lloyd's efforts stepping in for Spellman.

"Ben [Lloyd] comes on and slots in perfectly, so I'm not worried at all," Fuchs added.

"That was a big part of our recruitment in the winter as well, to fill those spots, to have a good depth. Everybody that comes in has given it their all."

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Manager Christian Fuchs insists Newport County were unlucky to lose out to League Two leaders Bromley at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.

Bromley came into the game on the back of a 19-game unbeaten league run, but it was the home side who were largely in control of proceedings.

Despite a bright performance from Fuchs' side, however, former County player Corey Whitely lashed home the only goal late on, much to the despair of the Exile supporters.

"It was a great performance. When you look at the game, you could not tell who were first in the table," said Fuchs.

"I'm very proud of the team, the character that they played with and the intensity and the energy.

"They didn't deserve what they got at the end of the game, but it's one of those moments. We played really well and did not deserve to lose."

Defeat leaves County still looking nervously over their shoulder, as they sit just one point in front of the relegation zone.

Fuchs' team have eight games left in which to ensure they avoid relegation back to the National League.

Crucially, perhaps, they still have to play the division's bottom two sides, Harrogate and Barrow.

Fuchs says taking opportunities in front of goal will be key to Newport's survival bid.

"We should be more clinical with our chances, that's very clear. I think we have had chances in our last three games for three victories," he added.

"But, overall, I'm very proud of the boys and we need to build on this performance again."

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Striker James Crole says Newport County's players are looking up the League Two and not down after his late goal at Barnet secured a precious win for the relegation strugglers.

The 22-year-old's 83rd minute winner gave County a 2-1 triumph and, crucially, moved them out of the relegation zone with nine games of the season remaining.

It was Crole's first goal in the English Football League (EFL) after joining County from Cymru Premier side Penybont in January.

"It's a big moment for me. I've been dreaming about it - not even just since I came here - but for the last few years, to score my first goal in the EFL and the fact that it could be such a big goal in our season, it's a massive moment and I'm over the moon," Crole said.

"I came in to score goals and I probably haven't done that as much as I'd like to, I'm hoping I can kick on from this and take some momentum in to the next couple of games and do well for the rest of the season.

"The belief is there, every game we show fight, will and desire and we showed that second half [against Barnet], so we're out of the bottom two - hopefully we can start looking up rather than down."

County next face leaders Bromley at Rodney Parade on Tuesday 16 March (19:30 GMT).

"I think this team, on its day, is capable of beating anyone in the league," added Crole.

"We'll go in to every game with the mindset that we can win and that won't change against Bromley."

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Not only was James Crole "over the moon" with his first football league goal, it is one which could prove crucial in Newport County's quest for League Two survival.

Crole struck in the 83rd minute as County came from behind to beat play-off chasing Barnet 2-1.

The result lifted Christian Fuchs' side out of the relegation zone into 21st and two points above the relegation zone.

Former Penybont striker Crole, 22, joined County in January, along with winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, who set up his goal at Hive Stadium.

"I'm relieved in all honesty because I haven't done as well as I would have liked in my first few games," said Crole.

"Today (Saturday) I came on and made an impact, I was a nuisance, I obviously got my goal which is what I'm here to do.

"I've dreamed about the moment 100 times and it couldn't have really got much better, in front of the fans.

"I'm hoping now I can kick on and take some momentum into the next couple of games and do well for the rest of the season."

County have nine games left to secure their football league status for another season, starting with the visit of leaders Bromley to Rodney Parade on Tuesday (19:30 GMT).

"This team is capable of beating anyone in the league," said Crole.

"We'll go into every game with a mindset of 'we can win' and that won't change against Bromely.

"The belief is there. Every game we show fight, willing and desire, especially in that second half [against Barnet].

"We're out of the bottom two, now we can start looking up rather than down."

Ioan Griffiths

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County boss Christian Fuchs has called for unity at Newport as they look to avoid relegation back to the fifth tier for the first time since 2013.

The Exiles travel to play-off chasing Barnet on Saturday, 14 March (15:00 GMT) as they enter a crucial phase in their battle against relegation.

Despite a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Colchester last Saturday, Fuchs insists his team are going in the right direction and has urged supporters to back the team.

"I appeal to our fans to have our back and support us. We have one unit here that wants to work together, that wants the same outcome." Said Fuchs.

"Everybody wants us to be successful and we can only do this together.

"That one game knowing what the possibilities were in that game hurts a little bit, but that doesn't mean anything. It's not season-defining. We still have 10 games, and in those ten games we try to give our best."

County currently sit 23rd in the League Two table, but only trail 22nd place Barrow on goal difference.

The Exiles are staring down the barrel of relegation, and with just 10 fixtures left to play they need to continue grinding out results.

Despite their precarious position, Fuchs insists his players are in a "really good place" and is confident that they can survive.

"Since I've came in, whenever there has been a setback the boys have usually delivered a response. So I'm confident in them." Fuchs said

"When you look at the last six games, for example, we are sitting pretty well. So I think we're actually in a really good place. Obviously the last result always hurts and that's omnipresent with how you feel."

Fuchs also reiterated the importance of survival to him and his players.

"Survival is massive and we know that. We know it is our responsibility. There's a lot of energy out there, there's a lot of enthusiasm as well because they believe in themselves.

"They know what they have done lately and they just need to keep pushing forward and doing the right things."

Defender Lee Jenkins made his return from injury last Saturday, and he scored County's only goal with a towering header deep into injury time.

Fuchs stated the importance of squad depth and welcomed the return of former Cymru Premier central defender Jenkins.

"We had a couple of injury issues lately so it is good to have these players returning and being in full training." Fuchs said.

"This gives us the depth that we need, but also brings back some good quality for the team."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Newport County's defeat to play-off hopefuls Colchester United was overshadowed by controversy, with manager Christian Fuchs left furious at a refereeing display he felt played a decisive role in the outcome.

While much of the attention centred on the serious injury to Colchester's on loan forward Micah Mbick, the frustration inside Rodney Parade was directed at referee Steven Copeland, who the home side felt was unwilling to intervene in a series of physical collisions by failing to produce a single yellow card.

For Newport, the key grievance came shortly before the hour mark.

Defender Cameron Evans appeared to be tripped by goal-scorer Harry Anderson in the build up to Colchester's opener, but Copeland waved play on, allowing Anderson to unleash an unnerving finish from outside the box.

Fuchs later said he could not understand "how the foul on Cam Evans cannot be called," feeling such decisions repeatedly disrupted his side's rhythm and contributed directly to the pivotal moments of the match.

Evans was earlier involved in the incident that led to Colchester forward Mbick being taken off on a stretcher following a crunching challenge in the 29th minute by the Newport full-back. Copeland waved play on.

Fuchs said: "Maybe the ref was affected by what happened in the first half (between Evans and Mbick) but nevertheless it's like every week I get different excuses why fouls are not being called and those excuses are completely invalid."

Though Copeland felt Evans had cleanly won the ball off Mbick, the trailing leg appeared to catch the forward, leaving Colchester's medical team immediately concerned and the forward was subsequently taken to hospital.

This incident meant it was not only the Exiles who walked away disappointed by the officiating as Colchester manager Danny Cowley was also "sick and tired of officials".

Cowley labelled Evans' tackle as "ridiculous" and claimed it was "so clear" that "excessive force" had been used with Evans "out of control".

He added: "The second foot, it's just knee high, it's a horrible tackle from the boy. I'm so angry with him [the referee]. I don't understand it. I don't understand it when their first job is player safety."

Colchester left south Wales with three crucial points to keep their promotion chase on track just four points behind seventh-placed Grimsby, but with Mbick, who had been one of the game's brightest threats before the injury, facing a spell on the sidelines, the victory came at a significant cost.

Whether Newport or Colchester United escalate their complaints remains to be seen, but the afternoon at Rodney Parade ended with widespread frustration and, for County fans, not just because of a disappointing score-line that saw them drop back into the relegation zone.

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Newport County manager Christian Fuchs says his players need to be more "proactive" after the Exiles lost 2-1 at home to Colchester on Saturday.

His side slipped back into the relegation zone after they failed to capitalize on an opportunity to win back-to-back home league games.

The Exiles' boss wants his players to be braver on the ball in future.

"I just don't want them to fall back into old patterns where you might be a little bit too relaxed after you have a couple of good games and get out of the bottom two," said Fuchs.

"Maybe it's the pressure that we need for them to perform which was in the past and which should not be the case, we need to be way more proactive rather than just reacting to what's happening on the pitch.

"We need to take the initiative and be a team that starts on the front foot, that starts being brave on the ball, and that was definitely missing in the first 30 [minutes]."

Colchester scored two goals in six second-half minutes to give the visitors the lead in what was a comfortable afternoon for Danny Cowley's side at Rodney Parade.

Despite a late Lee Jenkins consolation, it was a disappointing afternoon for County which leaves them staring down the barrel of relegation once more, as they sit 23rd in the table.

Despite this, Fuchs is still confident his side has what it takes to escape relegation to the National League.

"I have full faith in them, a hundred percent, they've shown that we can," he added.

"We need to be self-critical of what we have not done well but also what we have done well in the game.

"Not everything was bad in the game. There were positives that I can take away from it, especially in terms of the character that they showed.

"The boys again didn't give up. It didn't fall for us unfortunately but again we created chances and now we just need to keep pushing forward and try to be better from the get go."

Ioan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales

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County boss Christian Fuchs insists his side have to "keep pushing forward" as they prepare to welcome Colchester United to Rodney Parade on Saturday, 7 March (15:00 GMT).

The Exiles claimed a vital victory at home on Tuesday when they beat Tranmere Rovers 3-1, sparking wild celebrations between the fans and the players.

"I think everybody was looking forward to the game, I think there were certain expectations in the game that got a bit higher after Tranmere's red card," said Fuchs.

"The fans were massively important to us on Tuesday. The players also got to enjoy the moment as well."

County supporters will be hoping this result can be a catalyst for their survival as they moved out of the relegation zone and up to 22nd for the first time in 151 days after their midweek win.

Newport boss Fuchs praised his players mentality and is hoping County's good form continues.

"Now it's time to build on the momentum. The boys have bought in and you can tell," Fuchs said.

"When you look at the Fleetwood game, we had four or five players cramping up because they ran so much, they got up, shook it off and kept going, that's the mentality you need.

"It's a good time right now, a good place, but again we need to follow up on what they've built so far and keep pushing forward."

County's opponents on Saturday are 12th placed Colchester United, who are managed by former Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley.

The U's come into the clash having lost their last two league games, damaging their push for the play-offs.

Despite their superior league position, Fuchs says his side will be focusing on themselves.

"They are coming off a bad run so you'd obviously expect a reaction from them and they have some very decent players," he said.

"But again, it's another game for us where we have to look at ourselves. We need to get the basics right. Running, fighting, everything that it takes to earn your right to play.

"Every time we've done that we've put in a decent performance, that was the case on Tuesday. So I'm looking forward to seeing the boys out there on Saturday again."

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Newport County welcome fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers to Rodney Parade on Tuesday, 3 March (19:45 GMT), in what is another vital game in their relegation battle.

County currently sit 24th in League Two, despite a hard fought 0-0 draw away at Fleetwood last time out.

Their opponents are on a poor run of form, Tranmere have lost their last three league games in a row, leaving them sat in 19th.

Despite this, Christian Fuchs insists his side are focusing on themselves and no one else.

"We know that we have it in our hands and we do not really care what the others do." Fuchs said.

"We need to make sure that we perform well, we need to show our resilience and obviously we want to be a bit more of a goal threat as well.

"If we just take care of own performance then I'm sure the results will come, but it's really nice to have a run of home games now as well."

After Tuesday's game The Exiles will welcome Colchester United for the second of their two home fixtures on the spin.

County will see this as a huge opportunity to push themselves up the table.

Boss Christian Fuchs believes his side's last two away performances will put them in good shape for the upcoming fixtures.

"From our last two away games we've walked away with four points, which has been incredible." Said Fuchs.

"They were two very similar games with two very similar pitches as well which did not help us.

"I think it showed the mentality of the group, they're a very good and caring group. They want to put this club in a better place and they want to fight for the badge."

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Former Wales striker Nathan Blake says staying at Rodney Parade would be vital for Newport County if they suffer relegation to the National League.

The Exiles, who are bottom of League Two, play at Rodney Parade under a lease agreement with stadium owners Dragons RFC.

"If they were stopped from playing there I'd fear for Newport, I really would. It's so important that they stay in the Football League if they can, " Blake told BBC Radio Wales.

"But if they can't stay up, staying at Rodney Parade would be the difference for me between them tumbling down the leagues and out of business or being able to attract players to help them back up."

Newport are currently two points from safety, but have picked up under former Premier League winner Christian Fuchs.

County have one of the lowest wage bills in League Two, and do not own their own stadium or training ground, and Exiles owner Huw Jenkins has warned that Newport face harsh financial realities in future.

"They don't have their own ground, they don't have their own training pitch, they don't have great new facilities, so attracting players is difficult because there's so much competition," said Blake

"Being able to attract players and quality players is so important, because they want to play on nice training grounds and nice pitches. If you haven't got those things it's a problem when you need to attract quality players to your club.

"Newport rugby saying that they'll continue to do business with County next season, I think it's vital. If I was Huw Jenkins I'd be thanking them big time."

County are next in action on Tuesday, 3 March (19:45 GMT), as they welcome Tranmere Rovers to Rodney Parade in another crucial game in their battle against relegation.