NEWPORT County AFC face a leadership challenge at Grimsby this afternoon.

The Exiles head to Blundell Park with a long list of absentees and without plenty of League Two experience.

Captain Ryan Delaney is out along with Scot Bennett, who had taken over the armband, and veteran James Clarke.

There is a void that needs to be filled and manager Graham Coughlan is looking for players to step up.

Midfielders Bryn Morris and Harry Charsley can appear quieter individuals but have plenty of EFL games under their belts, fit-again Kyle Jameson will have to lead a makeshift defence and there can be no complaints about a lack of experience up top.

“It offers some of the older lads leadership roles that they will have to take on to look after the younger lads,” said Coughlan.

“They will have to help them in a similar role to when they were kids and were helped, that’s the challenge for the senior pros.”

Morris will have a point to prove at Grimsby after being released at the end of last season despite making 42 appearances in 2022/23.

The midfielder has played in EVERY County game in all competitions this season with 51 starts from a possible 52, the only substitute outing at Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy when he came on at half-time.

The defensive problems mean Harrison Bright could be in line for just his second League Two start.

Kiban Rai has remained on the fringes because County have had plenty of options up front with the teenage forward’s last match a cameo against Manchester United in January.

Rai has made 18 appearances this season with the win at Doncaster at the start of the year the only time he has been in the XI in League Two.

South Wales Argus: WOE: Bryn Morris in the closing stages of County's defeat to CrawleyWOE: Bryn Morris in the closing stages of County's defeat to Crawley (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

END THE STREAK

County lost three games on the spin for the first time under Coughlan against Crawley on Monday after losses at Barrow and Colchester.

The last time they lost four successive games was in September 2022 when James Rowberry's side were beaten 2-1 by Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy after losses to Grimsby, Stevenage and Barrow.

The Exiles haven't suffered four League Two losses on the bounce since December 2019 when Michael Flynn was in charge.

UNDER PRESSURE

County are set for a mid-table finish but Grimsby are desperate for three points to ease their relegation fears.

The Mariners will be keen to hear how things are going in Essex in a clash that affects top and bottom with struggling Colchester hosting third-placed Wrexham.

If the Welsh side slip up then MK Dons can give their automatic promotion hopes a boost by adding to bottom club Forest Green’s woes.

In-form Sutton would give their great escape bid a boost if they can stun leaders Stockport while second-placed Mansfield host a Crawley side hunting the final play-off berth.

Saturday League Two fixtures: Accrington v Crewe, AFC Wimbledon v Salford, Barrow v Swindon, Bradford v Gillingham, Colchester v Wrexham, Forest Green v MK Dons, Grimsby v Newport County, Mansfield v Crawley, Morecambe v Doncaster, Notts County v Harrogate, Sutton v Stockport, Tranmere v Walsall.