Chairboys to Rodney Parade
Newport County AFC take on Wycombe Wanderers at Rodney Parade on Saturday 12th April (3:07pm Kick Off) in this crucial Sky Bet League 2 game for both teams. County will be looking to bounce back after the 2-1 home defeat in midweek to Plymouth Argyle as The Exiles seek a top half finish in their first season back in the Football League for 25 years.Byron Anthony and Ismail Yakubu are out for the rest of the season and Adam Chapman serves the final match of his 3 game ban after being sent off against Portsmouth. Darcy Blake and Kevin Feely look set to continue their partnership at the heart of defence whilst Lenny Pidgeley is available for selection having a sustained period of training under his belt. Justin Edinburgh has been impressed with the way Darcy and Kevin have settled in:
'Kevin has been excellent since he has come in and Darcy is gaining match fitness with every game. They have managed to build a good relationship in a short space of time. Aaron O'Connor took part in a full training session on Friday so we are hopeful Aaron will play some part prior to the end of the season.'
There will be a minute's silence prior to kick off to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster when 96 Liverpool FC supporters lost their lives. Kick off will be 3:07pm on Saturday after the FA Cup Semi Final at Hillsborough between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool was abandoned at 3:06pm on that fateful day in April 1989 and Justin hopes that the families can find some solace in the current inquest.
'I remember the day vividly, I was watching a game at Billericay as I played the night before for Southend United and nobody could quite believe what was happening. It was a tragic day and I am sure the tribute of a minute's silence will be impeccably observed by both sets of supporters. I hope the families can gain some sort of closure from the court hearings taking place. All of our thoughts are with those people affected by the tragedy and it is right and proper that the football community join together with a show of support.'
Wycombe Manager Gareth Ainsworth is sweating on the fitness of defender Anthony Stewart and midfielder Matt Bloomfield as Leon Johnson returns the the heart of the defence. Sam Togwell has been recalled by his parent club Chesterfield whilst it is a week too soon for striker Paris Cowan-Hall.
County won the reverse fixture 1-0 on Boxing Day with a Mike Flynn strike that won Sky Bet League 2 goal of the week after a superb lofted reverse pass from Adam Chapman was deftly re-directed over the on-rushing Ingram in the Wycombe goal by the County midfielder.
Newport County AFC could climb to 12th with victory whereas The Chairboys are anxiously looking over their shoulders just 3 points and 1 place above the drop zone at present.
Both sets of fans can pay on the day on what is sure to be a passionate game.