NEWPORT County manager Justin Edinburgh has praised his players for their stamina ahead of today’s long trip to Carlisle United, writes Andrew Penman.

The Exiles travel north this morning and stay overnight before tomorrow’s League Two clash at Brunton Park – their fourth away match of the month.

A 2-2 draw at Hartlepool United on November 1 was followed by the 4-2 FA Cup exit at Luton Town seven days later and this week’s trip to Carlisle comes only a week after the 3-1 win at Bury.

County have had only one match at Rodney Parade over the past four weeks – the 2-2 draw with Exeter City – and Edinburgh is delighted with the efforts of his charges.

“It has been a tough November for us with trips to Hartlepool, Luton, Bury and now Carlisle,” said the Exiles boss.

“We spoke about it as a group and we knew that November was going to be tough on us with only one home game.

“But credit to the players because they’ve tackled it head on and have been very good.

“Perhaps we would look at Hartlepool and say we should have picked up more points but then the fightback at home to Exeter was a different feeling.

“There’s been a lot of travelling but, credit to the players, we’ve had a good November and we’re on a good run.”

County’s next match after Saturday is the home clash with Stevenage on December 13 and Edinburgh admits the break will do his players good, although he’d rather be playing in the FA Cup next weekend.

“We’ve got a free week after this game, which will give us a bit of breathing space and get some more time on the training pitch,” he said.

“We’ll have a few recovering from injury and just getting back into the swing of things so it will benefit them.

“Obviously we would rather be playing in the FA Cup; that’s where we’d love to be going next Saturday.

“But it does give us some time on the training pitch. We won’t be flying off to somewhere hot – we’ll be working hard in preparation of the Stevenage game the week after.”