Newport County v Port Vale preview – can injury-hit Valiants net successive away wins?
Newport County v Port Vale: it would be a tremendous statement of intent if the injury-hit Valiants can make it six points away from home. Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Newport County v Port Vale, League Two
Rodney Parade
Saturday 11th December, 3pm
Last time we met?
The two sides last met in the Football League Trophy in 2019 when it finished 3-0 to Rovers. The last time they met in the League was in 2017 when it finished 1-1 at Vale Park.
Overall record:
27 Vale wins, 19 draws and 21 defeats.
Thinking of going?
Port Vale supporters will need a Covid-19 passport or proof of a negative lateral flow test to attend the game. The advice follows legislation from the Welsh government and applies to supporters over 18.
Valiants team news
So who will play upfront for the Valiants? Devante Rodney became the latest injury doubt after he was replaced at the break on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the only other fit striker, Dennis Politic, is only 75% fit. David Amoo has a hamstring injury, loanee George Lloyd has returned to Cheltenham due to injury while Jamie Proctor and James Wilson are both out for some more weeks. It could mean a more advanced role for the tireless Ben Garrity, who scored twice on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere, David Worrall was also replaced on Tuesday night. If he is ruled out, the most likely change would be the addition of Aaron Martin to the back three with Lewis Cass switching to wingback. It will be interesting to see if Aidan Stone remains in goal. The youngster has done nothing wrong since donning the shirt in last week’s Football League Trophy clash with Rotherham United.
Opposition team news
Dom Telford could return after isolating for Coronavirus but his return isn’t guaranteed as replacement Lewis Collins netted against Sutton United. Striker Courtney Baker-Richardson also scored but could be rested if Telford is to return.
One to watch: League Two player of the month Dom Telford is in prolific form with fourteen goals already this season.
Man in charge: James Rowberry
- Age: 36
- Games in charge: 9
- Win ratio: 44%
Rowberry was handed his first managerial role in October following the departure of Michael Flynn.
Recent form…
Port Vale
The away win over nine man Bristol Rovers means it is now four matches unbeaten in all competitions for Darrell Clarke’s side.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor, Wilson (7)
The opposition
Newport ended a poor run with a dramatic 3-2 win over Sutton on Tuesday night.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Telford (14)
Connections
There are no players in either squad who have played for both teams. However, there have been a fair number of players in recent years. The list includes:
Midfielder Sam Foley, who spent three years at Newport County between 2009 and 2012 before joining the Valiants for a two-year spell between 2015 and 2017.
Winger Harry McKirdy spent a disappointing spell with the Valiants last season. He also played for Newport during a loan spell in 2019.
Defender Kyle Howkins had two loan spells with the Valiants and also had a permanent spell with Newport between 2019 and 2021.
Cardiff City striker Mark Harris has had loan spells with both clubs as has former Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss.
From the archives
Potted history
The club was formed in 1912 and became founder members of the Football League Third Division in 1920. They reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1981 but financial problems saw the club go out of business in 1989. The club reformed and reached the Conference in 2010 and then returned to the Football League in 2012.
Were you paying attention?
Here’s a quick quiz on the opponents:
- Who is the current Newport County manager?
- Who is Newport’s current top scorer?
- In what year did Newport enter the Football League?
- What was the score when the two sides last met?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- James Rowberry
- Dom Telford
- 1920
- Newport 3-0 Port Vale
Frank Hibbert
10th December 2021 @ 2:16 pm
I do hope Devante is passed fit, after all he would be playing at Rodney Parade.