DEFENDER David Pipe has insisted Newport County AFC “don’t do excuses” and have more than enough to cope with the injuries that have hit the squad.

The Exiles were dealt further blows against Morecambe last Saturday when Scot Bennett and Mark O’Brien had to be replaced after 20 minutes and at half-time respectively.

With Andrew Crofts and Tyreeq Bakinson also sidelined, Joss Labadie not yet match fit and Fraser Franks suspended, boss Michael Flynn certainly wouldn’t have wanted to lose any more key personnel.

But veteran Pipe says the Exiles definitely won’t be using their growing injury list as an excuse for any negative results on the pitch.

“I enjoy that side of it, when you have to dig in and help your mate out if someone’s suspended or got injured,” said the one-cap Wales international.

“That’s what it’s all about, it’s a squad game, so we do what we’ve got to do whenever we’re asked.”

He added: “There’s no excuses. We’ve got more than enough (to deal with injuries).

“The boys that have come in have shown they can handle it.

“Boys that have been shuffled into different positions have done well when they’re called on.

“You could use injuries as an excuse but that’s definitely not the case here – we don’t do excuses.

"You have a squad for that reason, if not you’d have 11 in your squad.

“We get on with it, whoever it may be, whether it’s up top, at the back or in the middle.

“People coming in and out is not ideal, a lot of changes can affect the team, so we have to adjust to it, but I think we’ve done that quite well.”

Speaking after County’s 1-1 draw with the Shrimpers, Flynn said he hoped to have “one or two” back for this Saturday’s long trip to Carlisle United.

Despite being held by Morecambe, Flynn’s men closed the gap on leaders Lincoln City to four points after the Imps were beaten at Colchester United.

County are still fourth in League Two and Pipe is confident he and his team-mates will be more than ready for another tough test.

“We are in that position in the table for a reason,” he said.

“We’ve proved it now. We’re there and we’ll fight every week, whether it be home or away, whoever it’s against.

“Yes, it’s a long trip to Carlisle, but we’ll be galvanised as a squad and hopefully we’ll have a few back and we’ll go again.”

Reflecting on the Morecambe draw, Pipe added: “It shows you’ve got to be on your mettle at all times against every team.

“They’re astute and good at getting results, and they’ve gone and done it again.

“Unfortunately, it’s two points dropped.

“I don’t know how many shots they had compared to us, but at the end of the day, we didn’t do what we needed to win the game.

“We did all the other bits but we weren’t decisive enough at both ends at the critical times.”