League Two: How Newport County could line up at Accrington

Fresh from a trip to the East Midlands for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Chesterfield, the Exiles make the journey to Lancashire in League Two. The original date for this clash was in January but Accrington earned a money-spinner at Liverpool that the Premier League champions-elect won 4-0. It would have been a nervy trip north at the start of the year - County had lost to Bromley, Walsall and AFC Wimbledon - but now they are well away from the relegation scrap.

The same cannot be said for Stanley, who will be able to breathe more easily if they extend their seven-point lead over one-from-bottom Morecambe. County make the trip after a frustrating performance at Chesterfield when they certainly weren't awful but they did fail to hit the heights of their 3-1 win against Gillingham. STARTER? Michael Spellman is pushing for a County recall (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Head coach Nelson Jardim must be tempted to do a bit of rotation to freshen up his side and it wouldn't be a surprise if midfielder Kai Whitmore and winger Michael Spellman came into the line-up.

It might be too soon to bring back Kieron Evans into the starting XI after a pair of cameos off the bench on his return from a calf injury. Maybe the boss will be tempted to change from the 5-2-3/3-4-3 he has adopted recently in favour of a return to 4-3-3. That's the formation that Jardim wants to play, and in fairness he has shown he is flexible and pragmatic.

If that's what County want to use next season, and what will shape their recruitment, then it makes sense to have a look at the current squad in it. If it is a flat four then perhaps Cameron Evans would be more suited to right-back than fellow EFL novice Joe Thomas, who might need a breather after a run in the starting line-up. Possible County XI: Townsend, C Evans, Clarke, Baker, Glennon, McLoughlin, Antwi, Whitmore, Spellman, Kamwa, Baker-Richardson.

THREAT: Accrington dangerman Shaun Whalley (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

THE OPPOSITION

Accrington made an awful start to the campaign and took nine games to record their first win. That success against Morecambe was promptly followed by wins against Gillingham and Barrow. Accrington, rather like County, have been a patchy side with winless streaks and bursts of points.

They are too close to the relegation scrap for comfort but will see this week's home games against the Exiles and Gillingham as golden opportunities to ease the nerves. Stanley's dangerman is 37-year-old Shaun Whalley, a versatile forward who operates mainly on the left. He scored at Rodney Parade early in the season and has eight goals and four assists for the campaign.

COUNTY STATS

Leading scorer: Bobby Kamwa (8).

Most assists: Anthony Glennon (6). League position: 17th (43 points). Form guide: WDLLWL.

ACCRINGTON STATS

Leading scorer: Shaun Whalley (8).

Most assists: Donald Love, Shaun Whalley (4). League position: 21st (36 points). Form guide: LLWLWL.

MATCH ODDS

Accrington 4/6, draw 5/2, County 7/2.

OPENER: Shane McLoughlin's shot was deflected in when County beat Accrington 3-1 (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

LAST TIME

County took the spoils 3-1 when the sides met at Rodney Parade in August. It was 1-1 at the break after Shaun Whalley pegged back the Exiles, who hit the front early on when Shane McLoughlin's shot that was going wide went in off Seb Quirk. Whalley brought down Bobby Kamwa for Courtney Baker-Richardson to score from the spot before an acrobatic Aaron Wildig clincher.

The last trip to Accrington was on the opening day of 2023/24 when County failed to take their chances and were beaten 3-0.

Tuesday League Two fixtures: AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham, Accrington v Newport County, Colchester v Port Vale, Grimsby v Notts County, Salford v Chesterfield.