NEWPORT County AFC new boy Michael Smith could be thrust straight into the starting XI against Cambridge United tonight after Danny Crow suffered another injury blow.

Smith, who signed on loan from Championship outfit Charlton Athletic yesterday, could get an early chance to impress the Rodney Parade faithful with fellow striker Crow sidelined by a hamstring injury for the second time in a month.

Crow picked up the injury in training yesterday just nine days after making his return from another hamstring strain sustained during the 1-0 win over Ebbsfleet United on October 9.

It’s another blow for the 26-year-old former Luton Town striker who also missed the defeat at Wrexham in September with a knee injury.

But, with Jefferson Louis, Ryan Charles and Jake Harris understood to be available for loan, it’s possible that Smith and Conor Washington will be given a chance to shoot County back to winning ways against Cambridge.

Justin Edinburgh’s men have not tasted victory since that match against Ebbsfleet almost a month ago having drawn at Macclesfield Town and lost to Woking in the league and crashed out of the FA Cup in a replay against minnows Yate Town.

The Exiles do remain top of the Blue Square Premier, a point ahead of Luton and three ahead of Grimsby Town with a game in hand.

But anything less than victory tonight could see them relinquish top spot for the first time in a month with Luton favourites to win at mid-table Hereford United.

Cambridge are only four points off the bottom after shipping 29 goals while losing seven and drawing five of their 16 matches.

Like County, Richard Money’s side were without a game over the weekend having been knocked out of the cup and they too have injury worries.

The U’s have not scored for three successive matches and could be without defensive duo Rory Macauley (hamstring) and Jonathon Thorpe (ankle).

Edinburgh will have captain David Pipe back from suspension following his red card against Yate and fellow defender Ismail Yakubu (calf) could return but Andrew Hughes is likely to continue to deputize alongside Tony James.