Injured Pipe set to miss Rovers’ return (From South Wales Argus)

Injured Pipe set to miss Rovers’ return

9:00am Monday 31st December 2012 in Sport By Michael Pearlman

Injured Pipe set to miss Rovers’ return

NEWPORT County look set to be without skipper David Pipe for tomorrow’s return showdown with Forest Green Rovers.

The ex-Wales cap limped out of the game at The New Lawn on Boxing Day late in proceedings and the Argus understands he has suffered a hamstring strain.

Though it’s unlikely to keep the former Bristol Rovers man out for any length of time, Pipe is also a doubt for Friday night’s televised clash at Rodney Parade with Welsh rivals Wrexham.

The North Walians missed the chance to leapfrog Newport on Saturday after being held to a 2-2 draw by Tamworth at the Racecourse.

The Exiles have no new injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s reverse at Rodney Parade with striker Danny Crow closing in on a first-team return.

The ex-Luton striker has been out for the best part of ten weeks since initially straining a hamstring against Ebbsfleet on October 9.

He briefly returned to the side but aggravated the injury in training and hasn’t featured since the beginning of November, but could play a part this week.

County are chasing back-to-back victories Forest Green after their 2-1 Boxing Day triumph, their first appearance on the traditional day in the British football calendar since 2008.

The game was transformed by goals from substitutes Ben Swallow and Ryan Charles and both are now pushing for a start as Newport look to fill the void left by departed loanee Christian Jolley.

The cause is helped by the return of left back Andy Sandell, who missed the New Lawn visit after collecting five yellow cards.

Therefore Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh must again find an equation where six fits into four with Sandell and Byron Anthony both looking for a starting spot in the Newport defence.

Meanwhile, County boss Edinburgh has also met the Exiles directors about potential January transfer activity.

County had hoped to seal a deal to sign the impressive Jolley from AFC Wimbledon but couldn’t agree a fee with the Dons for a player out of contract in June.

“Justin wanted Jolley and we wanted to support him, but Justin decides what is a realistic fee and he didn’t think it right to go over what we thought was a fair bid,” director Howard Greenhaf explained.

“We have already met with Justin to discuss January and he’s mentioned a couple of names but it’s not easy to sign players even though we will support him.

“People are associating us with Les (Scadding, chairman) obviously and his (Euro Millions) money, but we are not going to spend for the sake of it.

“Justin has been in a situation at Rushden and Diamonds where he’s been interfered with in terms of his management and where money has been spent that didn’t exist.

“We won’t do that and most of all we completely trust our manager and (director of football) Tim Harris in both identifying the right players and valuing them. So we will approach everything with an open mind. We certainly want to push on and try to get promoted.”