Deano's plea to County fans (From South Wales Argus)

Deano's plea to County fans

10:59am Friday 13th February 2009 in Sport By Michael Pearlman

NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth is hoping the Exiles’ stay away supporters will provide the boost needed for his injury-hit squad ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Maidenhead United.

Holdsworth, who saw his side bounce back to winning ways on Wednesday against Bognor Regis, has steered County into the top ten of the Blue Square South for the first time this season, but his reward was a paltry crowd of just 618 on Wednesday.

And with injury doubts over a number of first team players and with two new faces set to join the squad in time to play tomorrow, Holds-worth is adamant that it is the absentee supporters who the squad need to give them a boost.

“We couldn’t help but notice how flat the place was on Wednesday, it was a strange one because the fans have been right behind us recently,” he said.

“Obviously, there are financial implications of having such a low crowd, but my primary concern is that sometimes it is the fans who give the players a lift and we need that big time on Saturday.

“We have a few injury doubts and will have some new faces involved, so what we really need is the place to be buzzing and for our supporters to create some atmosphere as well.”

Holdsworth has recalled former Cardiff City and Wales U19 cap Matt Smith from a loan spell at Clevedon to provide competition on the left flank.

He is also expecting to tie-up the loan signing of Kidderminster Harriers striker Sam Foley, who can also play wide on either flank and who has been chased by Holds-worth for six weeks, the player also interesting Weston-super-Mare and Team Bath.

However, that is where the good news ends for Holdsworth who has several injury concerns to contend with.

Striker Craig Reid, arguably the key man in the entire squad, is a doubt with a hamstring strain that has bothered him for a number of weeks, he is currently undergoing intensive treatment at a club near to where he lives, arranged by Holdsworth.

Danny Rose is also a concern having been withdrawn against the Rocks with a hip injury and Aaron Cook is a doubt having gone off in the same game with a knee strain.

Ashley Vickers, who deputised for Cook in midweek has a calf strain and winger Kevin Cooper picked up a bruised foot, so he too could miss out, though striker Kaid Mohamed should shake off a bout of flu while Nathan Davies is also fit for selection again.

“It’s a case of patching the boys up and giving them as long as possible, but that’s a lot of bumps and bruises to deal with when the squad is a little thin like ours is,” Holdsworth said.

“We should have Sam and Matt Smith coming into the squad, but hopefully some of our injury doubts will pass fitness tests, though I’d rather not risk Craig Reid as I think he really needs a rest.

“Sam is a player I have been keen on for a long time, he is an attacking player with a knack of finding space and that’s a huge asset at our level"