Maxime Blanchard is ready for battle again when Newport County play Grimsby Town in a crucial League Two match at Rodney Parade on Tuesday (7.45pm).
Blanchard was preferred to playmaker Josh Sheehan for County’s 0-0 draw against league leaders Doncaster Rovers and is ready for a second appearance in five days.
“The last competitive game I played was in July and I am not completely fit, but I’m ready to face Grimsby,” said Frenchman Blanchard.
Manager Graham Westlley gave him the nod ahead of Swansea City loan signing Sheehan alongside the impressive Mitch Rose and they could join forces again in central midfield for Grimsby’s visit.
Newport are remain bottom of the table, but are unbeaten in five fixtures and confidence is high going into Tuesday’s match.
Blanchard, released by Irish club Shamrock Rovers last summer linked up with County a week ago and played for their reserves. He then trained twice before playing against Doncaster.
“You always want to impress when you step onto the pitch – that’s just about yourself and your pride,” he says. “You want to do well, whether you want to earn a contract or not.
“I had not played a competitive fixture since July, but it was important just had to stay as fit as possible and do the things you have to do when you’re out of contract.
“I am ready (to play) and if I’m required I will play. I just want to play.”
“You can see everybody is fighting together and that’s what you need to stay in this league.
“You need to have that drive in the team and everyone has to pull in the same direction.
“The fighting spirit is there and that’s certainly a minimum requirement if you want to stay in the League.
“Newport County have more than enough to stay in the League.”
Grimsby arrive in South Wales intent on bouncing back after a crushing 5-0 defeat against Crewe Alexandria in their last game.
“With the way the pitch is, and the way Newport set-up, the game presents itself as a real fight,” said manager Marcus Bignot.
“It’s going to be a war of attrition, a real battle of will, and a case of who wants it most.
“Newport will be fighting for their livelihoods.”
County could climb off the bottom with a win because Leyton Orient are only two points ahead of them.
There is a full programme of League Two fixtures on Tuesday and those involving Newport’s fellow strugglers are: Luton v Hartlepool, Mansfield v Accrington Stanley, Stevenage v Cheltenham, Notts County v Exeter, Plymouth v Leyton Orient.
League Two table – bottom six only
All teams to play 46 matches in total
Two teams will be relegated
Pl GD Pts
19 Hartlepool United 30 -15 31
20 Cheltenham Town 30 -11 29
21 Accrington Stanley 28 -11 29
22 Notts County 30 -22 29
23 Leyton Orient 30 -15 36
24 Newport County 28 -14 24