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Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles conclude run of three successive away fixtures against Salford City

14 December 2020

Match Previews

PREVIEW | Exiles conclude run of three successive away fixtures against Salford City

14 December 2020

Newport County AFC conclude their run of three consecutive away games with a trip to Salford City on Tuesday evening.

The Exiles, who faced trips to Grimsby Town and Leyton Orient last week, will be keen to get back to winning ways after Saturday’s defeat against the latter.

Tuesday's fixture will be the second meeting between County and Salford this season after the teams met in the Emirates FA Cup second round last month.

Here, you can find all the facts and statistics ahead of the Sky Bet League Two fixture...

The opposition - Salford City

Salford City have enjoyed a steady season so far this term, picking up 26 points from 16 games, which has seen them rise to eighth in the Sky Bet League Two table.

The Ammies started the season losing just one of their opening nine league fixtures, and picked up four wins during the positive run before two losses in a row - against Cambridge United and Bolton Wanderers - temporarily halted their progress.

They have picked up three wins since then and lost just one of their last five league fixtures.

Team news

Newport County AFC manager Michael Flynn, who has tinkered with his squad and formation lately, could make some changes after his side's 2-1 defeat against Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Salford have a few injury concerns to keep their eyes on in the midfield and attacking areas. Midfielder Richie Towell has had a recurrence of the injury that kept him out earlier in the season, whilst Darren Gibson and James Wilson are also out.

One to watch – Ashley Hunter

Ashley Hunter is Salford’s top scorer this season with seven goals - six coming in Sky Bet League Two - and three assists so far this season.

Salford are yet to lose a match in which the 25-year-old has scored in, ensuring he has popped up with some important goals for the Ammies this term. Hunter most recently netted the winner in a 1-0 victory away to Barrow on Saturday.

The Englishman signed for City on a permanent deal in July, having spent the second half of last season on loan at the Peninsula Stadium. During his loan spell, Hunter picked up Salford’s Goal of the Season award for his strike against Bradford City.

Manager – Richie Wellens

Richie Wellens was appointed as manager at the Peninsula Stadium at the beginning of November until the end of the 2022/23 season, replacing interim boss Paul Scholes.

Since taking over at Salford, Wellens has seen his team pick up 10 points and propel themselves to within touching distance of the play-off positions.

Wellens, who held the Oldham Athletic job in the 2017/18 season, joined the Ammies after departing Swindon Town, where he won the Sky Bet League Two title last season.

Last meeting between the sides

The last meeting between the sides came earlier this season at Rodney Parade in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup as County secured a 3-0 victory.

After an even first half, the Exiles were handed the initiative when Brandon Thomas-Asante was sent off in the 47th minute. Flynn's men took full advantage and went ahead through a header from Jamie Proctor nine minutes later.

Padraig Amond and Saikou Janneh also netted to book County a place in the draw for the third round.


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