Newport County

Emile Nuh
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

When Newport County announced in June they had re-signed defender Cameron Norman ahead of the 2026-27 season, it created more than a ripple of excitement among the Exiles' faithful.

During his first spell with the Exiles Norman made 92 appearances, scored six goals and provided 10 assists across two stellar campaigns that saw him earn consecutive Player-of-the-Year awards in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Now, the 31-year-old is again pivotal for County, starting every league game for Hayden Mullins' side so far, who sit just two points off the play-off places and six clear of the bottom two heading into Saturday's encounter with York City.

When asked about whether he had any doubts about returning to Rodney Parade, Norman said: "Not really, to be honest. When it was first presented, I liked the sound of it [because] football circumstances took me away in the first place.

"I was also quite keen to help turn the fortunes around from where the club had been over the past couple of seasons, so I'm really happy that I made the decision [to come back].

"I loved it the first time I was here and had lots of special memories. It's funny because I almost remember more faces from the fans than I do on the football side, so it's great seeing familiar faces that turn up every week and we love playing in front of them."

County's home form shows that, unbeaten at Rodney Parade in five league games and victory on the weekend would mark a third-straight win in NP19 for the Exiles.

"Everybody knows home form is massive, that's your advantage every other week," said Norman.

"Going back to last Saturday against Colchester, Rodney drove us on for that last 10 to 15 minutes once we got the goal.

"And then going back to Grimsby, again, we were maybe holding on towards that last five to 10 minutes. But every single time there was a positive action, you got that response and the boys just felt backed.

"We've had some really good days there so far this season, and hopefully on Saturday we can have another one."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Hayden Mullins has confirmed striker Christian Doidge will miss Newport's home clash with York City on Saturday, 17 October (15:00) after suffering a groin injury.

Doidge was forced off after just nine minutes in Newport's 1-0 win over Colchester United last Saturday, and is expected to miss "a couple of weeks" of action.

The 34-year-old, who is waiting to receive a scan of the injury, has been a key figure for the Exiles this season, contributing to four of Newport's 13 League Two goals.

"It will be a blow, definitely. Christian will definitely be a miss to us," Mullins said of Doidge's injury

"I think he brings a lot of experience, a lot of know-how to our game and how we play.

"He came off early in the game, so he's suffering from a groin issue. It'll be a couple of weeks on the sideline. He's going for a scan to see what the fallout is from it."

Despite losing Doidge, Mullins is confident County have enough depth to cope with his absence, particularly now Cardiff loanee Kion Etete is available for selection.

"We've got Shaq [Gwengwe] in the team; we've got Ged Garner, who we can play as a nine. We've got Kion [Etete], who's been with us this week as well.

"We've got options, which is good. It's about someone else stepping up and being that focal point for us, bringing their game and imposing themselves on Saturday."

Newport will also be boosted by the return of full-back Joe Thomas, who is available again after recovering from the dead leg he suffered against Plymouth.

But James Crole remains sidelined, although the forward has returned to the grass as he steps up his injury recovery.

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins believes his players should be full of confidence ahead of hosting York City after seven games without defeat.

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions following their 1-0 win over Colchester United at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa's late winner made it five games without defeat as the Exiles climbed into the top half of League Two.

After 10 games, Hayden Mullins' side sit two points outside the play-off places and are six clear of the bottom two.

Here is what supporters have made of Newport's start to the campaign.

Carl: So far, so good and beyond my personal expectation of the season. Hayden Mullins is going about his business quietly, you can see the team development and all playing as one.

RGK: It was great to grind out a win against Colchester, a game we would have lost last season and the season before. The defence has been tightened up and we're not leaking goals at the moment, which is very encouraging. It's early days, the signs look positive.

Paul: It's too early in the season to get carried away. Top half in the league would be a fantastic season for me. Onwards and upwards.

Ade: At the moment we look like a team. Playing football that we are capable of playing with full commitment. Credit to the management for that. I feel optimistic at the minute but remember, it's football.

Kevin: If you're comparing the start off this season to last season we have a lot to be happy about. It's only 10 or so games in and if we pick up a lot of injuries between now and Christmas we could be looking over our shoulders, but apart from that very, very happy with it so far.

Image source, BBC Sport

With almost a quarter of the season played Hayden Mullins has guided Newport County to within two points of the League Two play-off spots.

Saturday's 1-0 win over Colchester United was the Exiles' third of the season. It is all a far cry from recent campaigns dogged by relegation fears.

So how optimistic are you that Newport can cement their progress?

Send us your views here.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins believes his side showed how far they have come despite suffering a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat by Plymouth Arygle in the EFL Trophy.

The Exiles looked set for back-to-back group stage wins through Kieron Evans' deflected strike and Yahya Bamba's penalty, only for a much-changed Plymouth to stage a late comeback after turning to their “so-called starters” to earn a draw before claiming the extra point on penalties.

Mullins, who has been in charge for less than three months, said: "Playing against a team full of confidence, top of their division, the boys more than matched them.

"We get a point for the game. We're unbeaten at home [in 90 minutes] still. But it feels like we probably should have won the game.

"We went 2-0 up and the first goal was a nothing ball. [Lee] Jenkins, for all the world, he's just going to head the ball back straight over their heads and he slipped right at the last minute. That let them in and they gained the momentum.

"We could have lost it in the end, but Shaun [MacDonald] made a brilliant save from the penalty in open play to take it to the draw."

A 2-2 draw after 90 minutes means that Newport's unbeaten run technically extends to six preserving their impressive record at Rodney Parade, albeit a defeat on penalties allowed Plymouth to move top of EFL Trophy Southern Group E.

Despite making 10 changes, the performance by his player has left Mullins with a selection "conundrum" ahead of the visit of Colchester United on Saturday, 10 October (1500 BST).

County were without Shaquille Gwengwe and Ciaran Brennan through illness against Argyle, although Gwengwe trained away from the group and will be assessed before Saturday.

With strikers Christian Doidge and Ged Garner the only fully fit senior Newport forwards, there was further encouragement for Mullins with both Kion Etete and James Crole returning to the grass.

"We're not far away from being full strength," added Mullins.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County manager Hayden Mullins is confident that his League Two regulars are feeling the pressure from players on the fringes.

The Exiles boss made 10 changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday's EFL Trophy fixture against Plymouth Argyle.

County led 2-0 through goals by Keiron Evans and Yahya Bamba only for the League One leaders to fight back to draw, then win on penalties.

"I asked the boys to put the pressure on the lads that have been starting regularly in the league, and they did that really well," said Mullins.

"Our group feels good at the moment, there is competition throughout and the boys are taking on board a lot of the information and applying it well.

"It was a really good performance from lads who haven't played too many games.

"It was important that those guys got as many minutes in their legs as they could, because we will need them this season.

"They need to make sure they are in a good position to step in whenever they are called upon."

Full-back Joe Thomas, the sole survivor in the starting line-up from the goalless draw at Gillingham, came off at half-time with a dead leg.

Newport attempt to extend this season's unbeaten Rodney Parade record when they host Colchester in League Two on Saturday, 10 October (15:00 BST).

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Plymouth Argyle beat Newport County 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Rodney Parade in the EFL Trophy.

Former Exiles loanee Tyreeq Bakinson equalised in the last minute to earn a share of the spoils for the Pilgrims, who then claimed an extra point by winning on spot-kicks.

Plymouth, who missed a penalty at 2-2, are top of Southern Group E and will claim home advantage for the round of 32 if they beat Swindon on Tuesday, 10 November.

Newport looked set for victory when they led 2-0 through Kieron Evans' deflected effort in the third minute and Yahya Bamba's penalty approaching the hour after Matt Smith was clipped by Tegan Finn.

But Plymouth fought back and Bim Pepple capitalised on a Lee Jenkins slip in the 74th minute to race through and finish past Shaun MacDonald.

Argyle's pressure finally told in the 90th minute when Xavier Amaechi's inviting cross was turned home by Bakinson.

The visitors could have avoided penalties and claimed all three points after Pepple was fouled in the box, but the striker saw his penalty saved by MacDonald.

Newport substitute Michael Adu-Poku was the only player to fail in the shootout with Bradley Ibrahim dispatching the decisive penalty.

The Exiles sit second in the group and are a point ahead of Crystal Palace Under-21s, who they host at Rodney Parade on Tuesday, 3 November.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The EFL Trophy is often viewed as a chance for managers to rotate and hand opportunities to fringe players, but Newport County manager Hayden Mullins has made it clear his side will be taking Tuesday's visit of Plymouth Argyle seriously.

County head into the 6 October match with League One opposition at Rodney Parade (19:00 BST) on a five-match unbeaten run and with a large squad that they plan to use.

They opened their Trophy campaign with an impressive 2-0 win away at Swindon Town, where Cardiff City loanee Tanatswa Nyakuhwa caught the eye registering his first goal in amber.

"The Swindon game was a really good opportunity for us to change 10 players," said Mullins.

"It was a game for Jake Turner to get his debut and Tan to get his first start and a number of players to get 90 minutes which was good."

However, both goalkeeper Turner and winger Nyakuhwa will be unavailable for selection this time around as Turner continues to nurse a shoulder injury which could keep him out for a "couple of weeks" and Nyakuhwa misses out while on international duty with Wales U21s.

A bout of illness forced midfielder Kieron Evans and forward Shaquille Gwengwe to miss Saturday's goalless draw at Gillingham.

And Mullins says the fallout from the weekend will influence his team selection as it remains to be seen if the in-form Gwengwe returns.

The striker has already matched Bobby Kamwa's league tally of 5 goals from last season.

Despite making 10 changes for the win at Swindon, Mullins insists Newport's approach does not differ.

"We're definitely going to try and set up to win the game," he said.

"It's a competition that we want to attack and be strong in. Whatever team we put out, we'll definitely be trying to win."

Plymouth also began their EFL Trophy campaign in style, thrashing Crystal Palace Under-21s 5-1 despite rotating their entire starting XI from their previous league victory at Blackpool.

The Pilgrims arrive in south Wales in strong form of their own, sitting top of League One and having lost just once in their last six matches.

Newport, however, will hope to keep their own strong home record going.

The Exiles remain unbeaten at Rodney Parade in all competitions this season with Mullins hopeful of making Tuesday night another memorable one for the home faithful.

"We're playing at home, it's a really good fixture for us," the former West Ham United midfielder said.

"We want to build on the win that we picked up against Swindon.

"It's definitely a fixture and a competition that we want to take seriously, and we want to try and progress in."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport top goalscorer Shaquille Gwengwe was one of three County players forced to miss Saturday's 0-0 draw at Gillingham with a stomach bug.

Gwengwe, who has fired five goals in seven League Two games, has been dealing with the illness since last weekend but did attempt to train on Thursday.

He was, though, unable to make the trip to Kent and has since been joined by midfielder Kieron Evans and another unnamed County player out with illness.

With a short turnaround until Newport's next outing at home to Plymouth in the EFL Trophy, Mullins admitted he will have to protect his squad.

"Shaq has picked up a bit of a bug from last Saturday. We haven't [really] seen Shaq all week," Mullins explained.

"He trained for the first time on Thursday, and came in on Friday, and wasn't too well at all. I think he's got a bit of a stomach bug.

"As has Kieron Evans. Another one of the lads felt unwell, too, this morning. We are struggling throughout the camp with a stomach bug, so we will have to be careful.

"We have another game Tuesday - we will have a look at the troops after today and see where we sit for that game."

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins was pleased with the Exiles' performance as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Gillingham, a result that sees them 15th in the League Two table.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins expects another tough encounter when his side travel to face Gillingham on Saturday, 3 October (15:00 BST).

The Exiles beat Grimsby Town 2-1 at Rodney Parade last time out and are unbeaten in their last three league outings.

But Newport, who sit 17th in League Two, are yet to win on the road this season, while eighth-placed Gills have only lost once at Priestfield Stadium so far.

Mullins, who reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of this weekend's trip to Kent, says County will set up to face a front-footed Gillingham team.

"You always hope it will be entertaining. As a head coach, you want it to be as cut and dry as you see it," he said.

"I'm sure Gareth's (Ainsworth) team will be setting up to beat us. They'll be on the front foot. It'll be a game [where] they will want to attack.

"They got beat on the weekend, so I'm sure they will be setting up to really give us a game. We don't expect anything less.

"This division throws up different results, and we've seen it on Saturday with us. I don't think many people gave us a chance against Grimsby.

"We ended up winning the game. On Saturday, we will be setting up how we feel we can hurt them.

"Like we always do, we'll be going out trying to attack it, and we hope we have a good game."

Recent Gillingham signing Tom Eaves could make his debut against Newport, having been declared fit by Ainsworth, although the boss said he is "a little behind",

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins previews his side's League Two trip to Gillingham on Saturday, 3 October.