NEWPORT County AFC have suffered a trio of injury blows for their League Two promotion push with striker Courtney Baker-Richardson and defenders Josh Pask and Priestley Farquharson facing spells on the sidelines.

Baker-Richardson and Pask will be out for six weeks with hamstrings injuries and will now target the run-in.

The campaign is over for Farquharson, who has been a fringe figure of late, because he needs an operation on his knee.

Baker-Richardson has been a key figure in the side, forming a strong partnership with goal machine Dom Telford, while Pask has featured prominently in defence since arriving on loan from Coventry in January.

The striker suffered the blow towards the end of last week's 1-1 draw with Mansfield while the centre-back was injured in training on Tuesday.

South Wales Argus: GRAFTER: Courtney Baker-RichardsonGRAFTER: Courtney Baker-Richardson

"They are two big misses for us but that is part and parcel of football," said manager James Rowberry.

"It's a chance for somebody else to step up and the lads have always trained so well that we have got players in departments to produce for us.

"I try not to look at it from a negative point of view, I look at it from a positive point of view that we have got players who can step up to the plate and deliver for us.

"We have got lads who have been training really well and their attitude and application has been first class.

"We've got a few players injured but but we have a decent-sized squad with good players so just roll with it."

On-loan Rob Street, Alex Fisher, Timmy Abraham and Lewis Collins are the contenders to slot in up front while Jamie Clarke is the prime option on the right of defence next to Mickey Demetriou.

Midfielder Scot Bennett can also drop back, Cameron Norman could slot in on the right of a three but academy graduate Joe Woodiwiss cannot be recalled from his loan at Merthyr.

Eighth-placed County face a key week in their promotion bid with home clashes against third-placed Tranmere, leaders Forest Green Rovers and play-off contenders Bristol Rovers.

They have had one good bit of injury news with influential midfielder Ollie Cooper back after missing the draw with the Stags.

Winger Courtney Senior is continuing his recovery from ruptured knee ligaments suffered in pre-season but is "touch and go" for the run-in.