Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim will welcome back four first-team players ahead of the upcoming League Two clash against Chesterfield and the Portuguese is backing his returning quartet to perform.
Newport County Quartert Return for Chesterfield
Anthony Glennon, Kai Whitmore, Nick Townsend and Matt Baker are available for the home game against Chesterfield on Friday. Wing-back Glennon was suspended for the 1-0 loss at Harrogate last weekend and midfielder Whitmore was ruled out with a calf injury.
Townsend was in action for Antigua and Barbuda and Baker joined the Welsh under-21 squad during the international break. The duo are back from their international stints and could be involved at Rodney Parade.
Jardim Backs Glennon and Baker
Before the Chesterfield clash, Jardim highlighted Glennon’s importance to the team as an attacking outlet. The defender has impressed with his forward play early this season, notching three assists in his last six appearances. Speaking to BBC Sport, Jardim feels his side missed the 24-year-old’s quality as they failed to find the net during the Harrogate defeat.
“He gives us more of an attacking threat, he puts good crosses in the box and in the last game we lacked a bit of that.
“It’s not only what he does in the final third, it’s what he does in the middle third and the way he has improved massively in the defensive third.“
Newport centre-back Baker has also been an ever-present for the Exiles this season. He has started seven games, scored two goals and played twice for Wales in the international break. The Welsh under-21s failed to qualify for Euro 2025 but Jardim is backing the 21-year-old to come back to club football even stronger, despite the disappointment.
We will have to speak to him. but I know he is a mentally strong boy. You never know how they are until you speak with them, but I know he is strong and obviously he will now be focussed in what he can do to help the club.
Writer’s View
With key players returning, Jardim has greater options and a more balanced Newport side is likely against Chesterfield. First-choice goalkeeper Townsend, along with regular starters Glennon and Baker, should come straight back into first-team action. However, Whitmore hasn’t played since the 3-1 win over Doncaster on matchday two and the midfielder is unlikely to be thrust straight back into a starting spot here.
