Newport travel to Birkenhead to take on Tranmere Rovers this tomorrow afternoon, looking to secure three consecutive league wins for the first time this season.
Graham Coughlan has been handed several boosts in recent weeks, with James Clarke, Seb Palmer Houlden, Harry Charsley, and Aaron Wildig all returning to the mix. The players have also been handed a week’s break and will be feeling fresh following last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Barnet.
The gaffer will have one eye on our upcoming replay with Barnet and could manage the minutes of several players as we look to book a spot in the third round of the FA Cup.
We have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s game.
Manager’s Comments
Manager Graham Coughlan gave his ananlysis on the opposition in his pre-match press conference, labelling Tranmere a 'resillient' side, full of 'character': "They've changed shape a little bit [since Nigel Adkins became manager] they have a real resillience and character to them" he began. "They're a fantastic team, they've got good players, a fanbase that is influencial and these will all play a part on Saturday afternoon.
"Overall, we are expecting a really tough test on Saturday, but one we are very much looking forward too."
You can watch Graham Coughlan's full press conference by clicking HERE.
Opposition Form
Tranmere currently find themselves in 22nd place on 18 points. After a poor start to the season, Nigel Adkins’s team has seen an uptick in form in recent weeks. They have lost just one of their last five games and are unbeaten in four league games.
After exiting the FA Cup against Stevenage in the first round, Rovers have not played since Tuesday, November 28th, and will be feeling fresh ahead of Saturday’s encounter. Centre-back Jordan Turnbull was sent off in the team’s last outing against Mansfield and will be unavailable for Saturday’s match at Prenton Park.
Charlie Jolley opened the scoring for Tranmere against Mansfield and will look to hold down a more permanent role in the side, while Blackpool loanee Rob Apter grabbed his third in two games and is likely to be a threat at the weekend.
Ticket Info
Ticket pricing for the fixture is as follows:
| Age Category | Price |
| Under 12 | £5 |
| Under 18 | £9 |
| Young Person 18-22 | £16 |
| Adult | £23 |
| Senior 65+ | £18 |
Tickets are available to purchase at Prenton Park, however there will be a £2 price increase alternatively you can buy online by clicking HERE.
Last Time Out
Our last game against Tranmere was a memorable away day in March this year. Aaron Wildig opened the scoring for us in the 25th minute, bursting through the area and driving a low shot past Joe Murphy. A Wildig free-kick was then poorly dealt with, allowing Charlie McNeill to double our lead four minutes later. Wildig then played through substitute Calum Kavanagh in the final ten minutes to make it 3-0. The hosts grabbed a late consolation through Regan Hendry but were unable to mount a comeback, with the game ending 3-1.
Head to Head
Our head-to-head record with Tranmere is positive. We have played them 33 times, winning 14 games, losing 12, and drawing seven. Rovers have only beaten us once in the last six encounters, a 1-0 defeat away from home in 2021.
Played for Both
There have been several notable players that have played for Newport County and Tranmere Rovers. Of course, in our current squad, Kyle Jameson joined us following his release from Tranmere at the end of last season. The defender made 14 appearances during his time at Prenton Park.
Dipping back into the history books, club legend John Aldrige also earned himself iconic status at Tranmere. Aldrige spent five seasons in South Wales, hitting the net 70 times in 170 games. This run would actually be topped during his time at Tranmere. The striker played 243 times, scoring an incredible 138 goals.
If you are joining us in Tranmere tomorrow, have a safe trip to and from Prenton Park and we thank you for your continued support!