County face up to injury crisis ahead of Bury trip
MIKE Flynn is hoping Newport County’s current injury crisis will ease ahead of their trip to the Energy Check Stadium to face Bury in SkyBet League Two tonight (7.45pm).
The Exiles will be eager to bounce back from Saturday’s poor 4-1 defeat to Crawley Town, where Flynn was missing seven first-team players.
Defenders Mark O’Brien and Tyler Forbes were both absent alongside Matty Dolan, Tyreeq Bakinson, Keanu-Marsh Brown, Robbie Willmott and club captain Andrew Crofts.
Flynn re-registered himself as a player to take a space on the bench and drafted youngsters Jay Foulston and Tom Hillman into the matchday squad.
To make things worse centreback Fraser Franks saw red in the final minutes at the Checkatrade. com Stadium so he will start his three-match ban tonight, although Flynn is considering an appeal.
In-form forward Jamille Matt was replaced by Cameron Pring on 81 minutes but Flynn is hopeful he won’t join the crowded treatment room.
“He was feeling his hip flexor and that’s why we had to take him off,” said County boss Flynn.
“At 4-1 down there was no point in risking him so we had to take him off.
“We need a reaction, otherwise it’s going to be a long, gloomy journey.
“We’ll bounce back. We’ve lost three points and it’s frustrating but we’ve got to get back to the drawing board and hopefully have a few players back.
“I don’t want to make excuses but it’s a small squad and when you’ve got seven out it’s a bit of a kick in the teeth. I hope we will have some back, otherwise we’re right in it, hopefully two or three will be back.”
County are down to fourth but only trail leaders Lincoln City by five points while Bury climbed into the play-off places with a comfortable 4-0 win over Notts County.
The victory stretched their unbeaten run to five games - two wins and three draws - while former Cardiff striker Nicky Maynard continued his recent form with his fourth goal in three league games. ■ Newport will travel to Southern League Premier side Met Police in the first round of the FA Cup after last night’s draw.