NEWPORT County manager Graham Coughlan has another injury worry ahead of tomorrow's League Two clash at Forest Green Rovers with fears that key defender Kyle Jameson could be ruled out until Christmas, writes Andrew Penman.

The centre-back has impressed since his summer arrival from Tranmere Rovers but he was forced off during Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Crewe Alexandra and could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

And if Coughlan is forced to bring in a replacement, that would impact his search for a new striker.

“The first signs are that it doesn’t look too good,” said the Exiles boss. “We’re not expecting him to be with us this weekend.

“We’ll take our lead from the scans when they come back, but it doesn’t look too clever.

“It was a big blow to us [on Tuesday] and it will be a big blow to us going forward. Our fingers are crossed.

“I thought it was a hamstring, but it was actually a hip flexor,” he added. “We’ll have to wait and see. We’re just hoping it’s not as bad as first thought.

“If the worst comes to the worst, you’ll be talking about [him being out until] Christmas, or January.

“Hopefully the news [is good] and we don’t have to change our recruitment policy.”

Fellow defender Declan Drysdale is also on the treatment table, but James Clarke could be fit to return against Rovers.

Will Evans and Seb Palmer-Houlden look set to continue up front after scoring six goals between them in the first four games of the season.

But, with Omar Bogle and Offrande Zanzala out injured, Coughlan remains keen to add some more experience up front this month.

“Will and Seb have done well,” said the Irishman. “Will is a novice to the game – I think this is only his second season in professional football. And Seb only had his fourth senior start the other evening.

“They are young, they are naïve at this level, and you would expect a little dip in form.

“If that comes, hopefully we have the back-up to take some of the workload off them.

“There are no developments at this moment in time,” he added. “I’ve got a number of strikers that I’ve looked at, but I want to get the right one.

“I’ve spoken to three or four players, and we are actively looking. There are ongoing conversations with players and clubs. It’s a fluid situation.

“I want a striker with the right pedigree, the right ingredients. Ideally, I would like to bring a little bit more experience, a bit more nous and knowledge into the dressing room – someone who can help us on the pitch. I can only get so far with the young ones and the loans.”