Newport County have launched a bold bid for Football League survival – and manager Graham Westley’s plan will be tested by promotion-chasing Colchester United at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3pm).
Westley has already signed eight new players in 2017, four defenders and four forwards, and he now wants a couple of midfield players.
Newport are bottom of League Two after a run of eight successive defeats and they take on a Colchester team who have collected 22 points from the last 24 on offer.
They have scored 20 goals in that run eight fixtures, conceding four and keeping five clean sheets.
“We’ve brought in nine players, we haven’t spent a fortune doing it and we’ve paved the way by letting some players out so we’ve brought money in,” said Westley.
Defender Mickey Demetriou, a 26-year-old former Shrewsbury Town, Eastbourne, Kidderminster and Cambridge United player, is the latest County defender to sign.
Demetriou helped Shrewsbury earn promotion two seasons ago and Westley says: “His ability to win games at this level is exactly what we need at the Club.
“His character and footballing qualities are strongly evident and his presence will be a significant factor in our resurgence.”
Demetriou has signed a contract until end of this season, but is unlikely to be available for this Saturday’s home match against Colchester.
The defender was soon followed through the Rodney Parade gates by Swansea City striker Alex Samuel, 21, who has joined on loan until the end of the season.
Neath-born Samuel, a Wales under-19 player, began his career at Aberystwyth and also had a loan spell at Scottish outfit Greenock Morton last season.
He also scored a stunner playing for Swansea’s under-23s in the 2-1 victory at County in the EFL Trophy last October.
Flo Bojaj, Aaron Williams, Jaanai Gordon, Sid Nelson, David Pipe, Mark O’Brien and Craig Reid are the other seven Newport new boys and they are all available for the home clash with Colchester.
Midfield player Josh Sheehan, on loan from Swansea City, should return for Newport after missing their match at Stevenage with a gash to an ankle.
Sean Rigg (hamstring), and Joss Labadie (knee) are ruled out, while Jennison Myrie-Williams is rated doubtful with an ankle problem.
“It will probably be another 10 days before Riggy is back but he’s making good progress,” said Westley. “Labadie is going to be six or eight weeks.”
Defender Jamie Turley should be back training soon, but striker Lenell John-Lewis is not expected to play again this season because of injury.
Westley has said Newport’s plight at the foot of the table is ‘painful’ and ‘humiliating’.
There is still hope for the Exiles because Notts County and Cheltenham, the two teams just above them, are also in poor form.
He hopes Newport’s nine new signings will make the difference needed and Westley says: “”It’s time for change, time for action and we are taking that action.”
Visitors Colchester are set to sign Cardiff City midfield player Tommy O’Sullivan, who had a loan spell at Newport. Wales under-21 international O’Sullivan is unlikely to be involved for Colchester at Rodney Parade.
The U’s are likely to include Owen Garvan, who was a target for Cardiff City when he was playing for Ipswich Town.