Defender Mark O’Brien and midfield player Mitchell Rose both return to Newport County’s squad for their ‘biggest match of the season’.
County, lying second from bottom in League Two and six points from safety, are at home against Crawley Town at Rodney Parade (3pm).
“It’s our biggest game of the season,” says Newport manager Mike Flynn. “This is a chance to close the gap to three points and really turn the screw.”
Rose is back after a five-match ban after being charged by the Football Association for knocking a red card out of referee Trevor Kettle’s hand during Newport’s 3-2 loss against Cambridge United away in February.
Crawley are likely to be without defender Mark Connolly who has a hamstring injury, while striker Matt Harold is doubtful.
County are 23rd in League Two, six points behind Cheltenham Town and eight behind Hartlepool United with seven fixtures to play.
“I want to win every game,” says Flynn. “If Cheltenham lose and we draw we cut the gap so is it a must-win? No, but I really want to win this game. It’s huge.
“There is no extra pressure, we know where we are. We’re closing the gap and I want to close the gap more come 5pm on Saturday.
“That psychological boost of closing the gap is huge.
“We’re not thinking it’s a guaranteed three points but we need to start [winning] as soon as possible.”
Crawley defeated bottom club Leyton Orient 3-0 in their last fixture.
“We’ve been making strides in the right direction over the last few weeks and I just want to keep improving,” said Flynn. “If we take our chances we’ll win more games before the end of the season.”
Tickets for tomorrow’s match cost £10 for adults and £1 for under-16s and Flynn is delighted.
“To reward the fans with some cheaper tickets is a great incentive and a fantastic idea by the club. I think it’s brilliant for the fans,” he said.
“It’s a great incentive and the fans deserve a nice little thank you.”
Former Cardiff City defender Josh Yorwerth returns to South Wales to face Newport.
Yorwerth, who had a loan spell with Merthyr Town earlier this season, is relishing Crawley’s League Two match at Newport.
“It’ll be nice to go back to Wales on,” says Yorwerth. “I don’t know too much about Newport and have never really followed them closely.”
Yorwerth was recalled from his loan spell at Merthyr when fellow Crawley defender Mark Connolly was injured.
“I was the man to come in and replace Mark after he got injured against Crewe and it’s about me taking my opportunity,” he says.
“I sat down with the manager in the season and we both felt a move away would be good for me. Merthyr came in and I feel that was a beneficial month or so for me. It allowed me to get a run of games as well as spending time back at home.”
