Newport County 'kids' to get a chance in League Two run-in

The Exiles are down to the bare bones for the final weeks of a draining campaign that will finish with a tally of 57 games in all competitions.

Coughlan is set to be without at least nine senior figures for Saturday’s game at relegation-threatened Grimsby, with returns before the finale at Bradford on April 27 unlikely.

County were without right-back Shane McLoughlin, left-back Adam Lewis and central defenders Ryan Delaney, James Clarke, Declan Drysdale and Josh Seberry in the 4-0 home hammering by Crawley on Monday.

They then saw captain Scot Bennett, who had been playing at the heart of the defence, limp off in the first half.

After using all three of their stoppages for substitutions, County finished the game with nine fit players after right-back Lewis Payne was forced off and midfielder Aaron Wildig finished the game hobbling around.

Coughlan expects to be without all three although one player – who the manager declined to reveal ahead of Grimsby – could feature in the run-in after it was a nerve issue rather than a season-ending hamstring strain.

The situation is likely to lead to 20-year-old academy graduate Harrison Bright getting more opportunities in defence for the run-in while teenage forward Kiban Rai might also feature.

Kiban Rai got a rare start for County at Doncaster (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

He has made 18 appearances this season – the last of them against Manchester United in January – with his opportunities limited by the Exiles being healthy in attack.

Teenage defender Nelson Sanca has been an unused substitute on 14 occasions while midfielder Jac Norris has recently been brought into the first-team fold.

“There are other knocks, bumps and bruises, so it’s basically a roll call and if you are fit then you are on the bus,” said Coughlan on Friday morning.

“It’s not a nice situation but it offers those who haven’t been playing and some young lads a brilliant opportunity.

“The young lads have come into the squad and are trying to find their feet, I just wish I had more to delve into and give opportunities because now is the time to see what they can do and see if they can be a part of this club going forward.”

That is down to County having plenty of junior rather than senior academy players, while there is no development or under-21s team to bridge the gap to the first team.

Individuals have been given a taste of the senior squad throughout the campaign and the hope is that some will push on to be more serious options should injury strike again in 2024/25.

CHANCE: County youngster Nelson Sanca has been brought in to train with the first team (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“Some of them came in with us in pre-season and just haven’t been able to live with us,” admitted Coughlan. “That might be down to intensity and the levels.

“We must have had 10 or 11 with us over the course of the season, if not more. We’ve had in-house games and bounce games. There doesn’t seem to be anybody that can stick with us at this moment.

“There was tremendous opportunity to come in and make a name for themselves over the course of the season, but first-team level is tough with the intensity levels that you need to train at.

“It’s a big, big jump for a lot of kids. They do find it tough but it’s getting through those periods, that’s when resilience and character comes in.

“It’s about making those inches and miles, closing the gap and hopefully they will because a handful will come across with us this pre-season. Do two pre-seasons with the first time and you should know what football is about by then.

“You can do more damage to the kids than good, are they ready for the physical side of the game? You can hurt the kid’s pathway and progress, mentally and physically, if they are not ready.”

Numbers are low but Coughlan, who had an age-grade coaching background with Southend and Sheffield United, intends to stick with his ‘no freebies’ policy.

“The one or two lads that do get opportunities have to grab them, but they have to deserve it. There will be nothing given, you have to earn it and show you are up to it,” said the boss.

“Football is not an easy industry so you have to grab and cherish every moment, even if it’s a training sessions with the first team or five minutes on the pitch.”