NICK Townsend could have spent Friday in the Caribbean sun preparing for an international. Instead, the Newport County AFC goalkeeper had a mad dash from Spytty Park to Treforest because torrential rain forced a late change of training plans.

The Exiles stopper has once again put his international ambitions on hold to focus on League Two and a clash with Port Vale at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm).

Townsend had the chance to play for Antigua and Barbuda in a Concacaf Nations League qualifier on the island of Dominica (sunny, 29 degrees) on Saturday night before a home fixture against Bermuda on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old added to his caps with a pair of June appearances but, just like last November, has come to an agreement to stay in Newport.

Having a child starting nursery also came into the decision but Townsend also wants to build on a strong start to the season.

INFLUENTIAL: Newport County goalkeeper Nick TownsendINFLUENTIAL: Newport County goalkeeper Nick Townsend (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

“With the run that we are on, I don't want to miss out on anything,” said the ‘keeper, who pulled off a wonder-save in Morecambe last weekend to help earn a third league win on the spin.

“We are creating something good and I want to keep my spot because I know that Jacob is talented and if he gets a chance I might lose out.”

That Jacob is Jacob Carney, the 23-year-old former Manchester United and Sunderland prospect who was signed this summer to battle for the start between the sticks.

Townsend has relished past duels with Joe Day, Tom King and Jonny Maxted but this is a different relationship with the West Midlander joined by an up-and-comer.

Carney had a blow on Tuesday when sent off for downing an attacker after a defensive mistake on the stroke of half-time in the EFL Trophy loss to Cheltenham.

It lead to a turnaround in the game but the experienced stopper believes his protégé will thrive at Rodney Parade.

PROMISING: Jacob Carney joined Newport County in the summerPROMISING: Jacob Carney joined Newport County in the summer (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

“He is a similar age to me when I came into Newport, it's like the roles are reversed,” said Townsend, who joined from Barnsley in 2018.

“He is a great keeper and shows in training how much talent he has got, we have just got to stick with him and he will grow.

“Things like the red card happen, it’s a learning curve and as a ‘keeper you need to be thick skinned. I am sure he will come back strong and you do need those sort of setbacks.”

Townsend will have had some words of comfort for Carney but he’s also an influence on the outfield players.

In November he will join co-captains Aaron Wildig and James Clarke in hitting his 30s while the summer departures of Day and stalwart Scot Bennett mean that the goalkeeper is now the player in the squad with most County appearances.

It has been a promising start to the season but Townsend recognises that the EFL novices will need assistance in a draining campaign.

“When you get to mid-winter when it's cold, wet and the games are coming thick and fast you need to guide a lot of the young lads,” he said.

“I had that growing up and there is a good mixture with me, James Clarke, Aaron Wildig trying to lead the lads in the right ways.”

County were tipped by many to struggle at the basement but August was encouraging with a good performance in defeat at Cheltenham followed by successes against much-fancied Doncaster, Accrington and Morecambe.

“We are still a new squad and we are gelling. It's good to see how we are grinding results out because I still feel that we have a lot of gears to go through,” said Townsend.

“We have shown that we can do both parts of the game because we have had good spells when playing out from the back and through the middle but we also have that grit to be a League Two team.

"You have to be able be horrible and defend your box in periods of game.”