It’s a return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday as Newport County AFC are the visitors to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium (kick-off 3pm).
Following Tuesday’s Emirates FA Cup first round replay victory over Ebbsfleet United, Cheltenham are straight back into the league campaign for a tricky contest against a Newport side flying at the top end of the division.
Last weekend’s away win at Notts County has pushed the Robins out of the bottom two, and the club head into Saturday’s game in form on a six-game unbeaten run that will be tested by the Welsh outfit who are looking to continue building on their spot in the automatic promotion places.
Saturday’s clash is all set-up to be a tasty game with just over 50 miles separating the two clubs and with plenty riding on the 90 minutes that lie ahead.
Team news
Sean Long and Kevin Dawson continue to miss out through injury, while Johnny Mullins is edging closer to a return after the concussion he picked up at Ebbsfleet.
Michael Duff spoke to the press ahead of the weekend on Thursday morning to look ahead to the game:
Opposition
Sitting third in League Two, Newport cross the Severn Bridge on Saturday having recorded three straight wins in the FA Cup, Checkatrade Trophy and a League Two victory last time out against Colchester United.
They are managed by Michael Flynn, who still registers himself as a player, and who guided them to the FA Cup fourth round last term, knocking Leeds United out on the way. He was appointed permanently in May 2017 having initially undertaken a caretaker role in March which saw him help retain the club’s status in League Two.
Flynn leads a squad that boasts a front line including Jamille Matt, who is their leading goal scorer this season, and who is closely followed behind by Padraig Amond.
The County squad also includes former Cheltenham youngster Cameron Pring, who is on loan from Bristol City, and another ex-Robin in the form of David Pipe who had a loan stint at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium in the 2009-10 season.
Previous meetings
It’s been nearly a year since Cheltenham and Newport last met, in a 1-1 draw at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium where Padraig Amond scored Newport’s goal and Mo Eisa found the net for the Robins.
In eight League Two meetings since Saturday’s opponents returned to the Football League there has never been more than a goal between the two teams.
Five of those eight meetings have ended in draws, with Newport also recording two 1-0 wins and a 1-0 away success for Cheltenham in February 2014 when Ashley Vincent’s strike earned three points at Rodney Parade.
Watch the highlights back from our last clash in December 2017:
Former Players’ Association
This weekend’s Former Players’ Association guests are two former central defenders as Steve Elliott and John Brough return to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Brough made over 150 appearances in his time at the club and also spent a part of his career with Newport.
Elliott spent five years with the Robins and had a spell as assistant manager after a playing career spent with the likes of Bristol Rovers, Derby County and Blackpool.
Both Brough and Elliott will be in the main bar at 2.15pm for a Q&A session with supporters. You can tweet any questions for both FPA guests to @CTFCFPA in the lead up to Saturday. They will also be speaking to Jim Haggin on the stadium PA at half-time.
Tickets
Purchase tickets online ahead of the game. They are also available on the turnstiles around the stadium on the day.
Coverage
Catch updates throughout Saturday’s match by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news and the latest from the 90 minutes. You can also visit the club website after the match for full reaction to the game.
Listen to full match commentary on iFollow. Visit ctfc.com/ifollow to listen to the coverage.