NEWPORT CO V LEYTON ORIENT, 3PM

FOUR games in 10 days in three different competitions are about to give Newport County the chance to snap out of their poor run of form, or slip deeper into the mire.

At least three of those games are at home, but with such a high rate of injuries and illness the fixture congestion couldn’t have come at a worse time for Michael Flynn’s side.

Having had an outbreak of mumps in the camp last week, he lost Welsh squad goalkeeper Tom King to injury before the Boxing Day trip to Exeter City and is without Mark O’Brien and Kyle Howkins until the FA Cup trip to Championship side Millwall next Saturday because of injury.

After today’s clash with fellow League Two strugglers Leyton Orient, who like Newport have only won once in their last nine league outings, manager Flynn has to re-load his side to face Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Then it is on to The Den for a third round FA Cup tie before MK Dons travel to Rodney Parade for a Football League Trophy tie on Tuesday, January 7.

While numbers are a problem within the squad at the moment, Flynn’s biggest worry is the lack of goals being delivered by his strike force.

They have scored six times in their last eight league outings and have only managed to net twice in four of their 21 league games to date.

“It was frustrating at Exeter, although it was much more positive than at Morecambe. The players worked together and kept going as a team,” said Flynn, who had branded his team “a disgrace” after their 2-1 defeat at Morecambe.

“We competed and battled well and tried to keep going but, again, we got to the final third and we lacked confidence and quality.

“Exeter had one chance and they took it. They know how to grind out wins and they’re in the top three for a reason.

“I had no arguments about the result on Boxing Day because we didn’t really create enough. I felt we needed a bit more pace up front and that’s why I made the changes at halftime.”

While the change of strikers didn’t provide the necessary spark, the introduction of Wales U19 star Lewis Collins did make a difference.

The 18-year-old produced a great cross to give Matt a chance to head for glory in the dying moments at Exeter, but his attempt was wide.

After four appearances as a substitute in League Two this season maybe the time has come for the teenager to start.

Something has to change for the Exiles in 2020.