NEWPORT County's players on the fringes will have a chance to force their way into the misfiring team for League Two when facing West Ham Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday (kick-off 7pm).
The Exiles have suffered two league drubbings on the spin after being beaten 4-1 by Port Vale and 4-0 by Swindon.
All the goals came in the first half in Wiltshire and Nelson Jardim’s men will need to show more resolve on Saturday when they travel to take on Barrow in Cumbria.
Places will be up for grabs when County take on the young hammers at Rodney Parade in the EFL Trophy, with a morale boost needed after the two humblings.
Jardim is likely to tinker with his team and will be boosted by the return of central defender Kyle Jameson after he served a one-match suspension.
His fellow centre-back Ciaran Brennan will also be available for the competition before completing a three-match ban against Barrow and Crewe.
County will have to play Nick Townsend as Jacob Carney is suspended after being sent off in the 2-1 EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham.
The likes of Nelson Sanca, Josh Seberry, Kiban Rai, Luke Jephcott and Kyle Hudlin will also hope for a chance to show what they can do.
“I have to assess everything, we have to make sure we have a strong squad for the game, ready to compete first of all,” said Jardim after Swindon when asked if players had a chance to force their way in.
“Everything is built on running, competing, tackling and desire. If you don’t show that aggression then things are difficult.
“We will take every game as it comes and have to make sure we address whatever we need to, then turn up strongly on Tuesday to win the game.”
County have been without central defender James Clarke, right-backs Shane McLoughlin and Joe Thomas, winger Michael Spellman and striker Hamzad Kargbo because of injury.
Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley joined that list of absentees after suffering a hernia issue on debut in the EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham and is out until October after a minor operation.
Both County and West Ham's youngsters, who won at Rodney Parade last season, lost their first games and will be out of contention for the knockout stages with defeat.
Jardim's men travel to League One Reading in their third game on November 12.
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