Exiles out to maintain impressive run of form

RODNEY PARADE 7.45pm NEWPORT v MACC’FIELD

NEWPORT County welcome SkyBet League Two basement boys Macclesfield Town to Rodney Parade this evening as they look to continue their good form.

The Exiles have won six of their last seven league games with their 6-0 defeat to Yeovil Town the only blip in that run.

In contrast, the Silkmen have only picked up three points in the same run and will come up against a County team in high spirits after an excellent comeback against Cambridge United at the weekend.

The win moved them up to second, just three points off leaders Lincoln City, and tonight’s game offers Mike Flynn’s men a great opportunity to close the gap.

However, County boss Flynn (pictured) will not underestimate their opponents, who won the National League title last season.

“Macclesfield will be wanting to get off the mark,” he said.

“There’s no easy game in this league.

“I’ve reiterated that to the players because Macclesfield will be hurting, they’ll be hungry to end their winless run.

“I know Mark Yates, he’s a proud man and he’ll have them up for it.”

Goalkeeper Joe Day may return after his late absence on Saturday due to personal reasons but Mark O’Brien will miss out with the hamstring issue he picked up in the opening minutes against the U’s.

“I’ve never seen a hamstring done that quick in all my career if I’m honest,” admitted Flynn.

“It doesn’t look good at the moment, too early to tell fully so I won’t be putting a timescale on that just yet.”

O’Brien will join Matty Dolan and club captain Andrew Crofts in the treatment room while Robbie Willmott will complete his threegame suspension.

Despite the absentees, Flynn still has plenty of talent to call upon including Jamille Matt, who will be pushing for a start after scoring four goals last week.

“He’s had little niggles here and there, he hasn’t had a full set training,” said Flynn.

“He’s getting there, even at Tranmere he came on and looked absolutely shattered.

“Then on Tuesday night, he worked his socks off and lasted 81 minutes or so before he got that ankle knock.

“That hour he played [against Cambridge] won’t do him any harm.”