Morecambe take on Newport at Rodney Parade

Newport County hope to extend their lead at the top of the Sky Bet League Two with victory over the Shrimps, who sit 11th.

The visitors, who under Derek Adams have made a strong start with one of the league’s smallest budgets, have won their last two in all competitions. They defeated Barrow 1-0 on Tuesday.

Newport have stuttered of late and drew 1-1 at the New Lawn against Forest Green. Former County star Jamille Matt scored against them for Mark Cooper’s side after Tristan Abrahams netted the opener from the spot.

This continued a slight lapse in form for the Exiles by their high standards in league football, drawing their last two.

Both sides find themselves in the FA Cup against Premier League opposition in the next month or so, but their record against each other sways heavily in the way of the Shrimps.

Having first met in 2013, they have met 14 times in total, with Morecambe winning seven, Newport three, with four draws. The Exiles won the last one though, by a goal to nil in March. This was Newport’s penultimate game before the pandemic eventually cancelled 2019/20, and Morecambe’s final encounter.

An overriding narrative will be Kevin Ellison facing a club he caused Newport so many problems with in the past as a County player for the first time. The 41 year-old spent nine years on the Irish Sea in Lancashire, scoring 81 goals.

Team News

Newport are one of very few clubs with a relatively clean injury list, and one with match fitness after a mid-week friendly. The aforementioned Ellison is in contention for a starting berth.

Nathaniel Knight-Percival is suspended for the visitors.

What the Managers said

“We know Morecambe, we’ve obviously done our research and our analysis on them and they’re a very good team. Derek has done a very good job there.

“It’s going to a tough game; these are the ones where people get carried away and expect you to have the three points. There are no guarantees in this league, on their day they are a very good team and they have had a very good start as well.”

– Michael Flynn

“I think you always enjoy playing against a team you’ve played for, I did when going back to Aberdeen with Motherwell and vice versa.

“We’ll know a lot about Newport and their strengths and weaknesses. Newport, likewise, will know that about us as well but we’re looking forward to it.”

– Derek Adams

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