NEWPORT County AFC will be without goalkeeper Nick Townsend for their League Two clash at Harrogate after he accepted an international call-up by Antigua and Barbuda.
The 29-year-old, who has been an ever-present in the league this season, will play in the two Concacaf Nations League qualifiers against the Dominican Republic on Saturday and Tuesday.
Townsend turned down a call-up in September but has this time opted to link up his international teammates for the fixtures in Bermuda.
His absence will lead to a first League Two appearance for Jacob Carney after the 23-year-old joined on a two-year contract in the summer.
Carney, who was previously on the books of Manchester United and Sunderland, started in the Carabao Cup loss at Leyton Orient and was then sent off in the EFL Trophy defeat to Cheltenham for fouling an attacker outside the box.
He will get his chance to put the heat on Townsend at Harrogate and will also be on standby for next Friday’s Rodney Parade encounter with Chesterfield given that the first-choice stopper must travel back from the West Indies after his international fixture on the Tuesday.
Academy goalkeeper Bailey Hopkins was on the bench when Carney was suspended for the EFL Trophy fixture against West Ham Under-21s.
“We have got Jacob ready to go and he has shown his qualities,” said head coach Nelson Jardim. “The positive of this group is that I have two, sometimes three, players who can play in positions.
“We want everyone to challenge for the position and when you have high competition for places they can only benefit and improve, knowing that the other player is ready to go and waiting.
“Nick has been brilliant for us and I have already praised him a couple of times. He is fantastic, not only on the pitch but off it.
“He is a leader and we are lucky to have him with us, but we have to deal with him being out and move forward.”
County are also without defender Matt Baker because of Wales Under-21s duty but need to have three players unavailable to postpone the fixture.
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