Crewe Alexandra host their first Friday night fixture in over 10 years as they take on Newport County (7:45pm).
The Alex will aim to make it three wins on the spin in the league, having beaten Colchester United and Swindon Town in their two outings in November.
The Opposition
Newport currently lie 18th in League Two after an inconsistent start to the season, winning only five of their 19 league fixtures so far.
Last time out in the league, the Exiles were 2-0 winners against fellow strugglers Gillingham, with Priestley Farquharson netting twice.
The Gaffer
Graham Coughlan took the reins at Rodney Parade in October, and has won three of his first nine fixtures.
After a respectable career as a player, he took his first step into management with Bristol Rovers, and then had a spell at Mansfield Town.
Fighting Talk
Lee Bell: “He’s done a brilliant job (Graham Coughlan) since he’s gone in, picked them up the league, got a style and structure to how they play.
“We know what to expect, it’s going to be a highly competitive game, high intensity from both teams, so we’ve got to match them and do more.”
Graham Coughlan: “They are a great group of lads and they do ever so well for this football club. It’s up to us as coaches to push their game to the next level.
“We can’t wait for Friday to get that taste of defeat out of our mouth and go and get some wins before and after Christmas.”
Team News
Cristopher Long has suffered a major setback in his recovery from an ankle injury and will now face a substantial period on the sidelines. Courtney Baker-Richardson has undergone a successful operation on his hamstring injury, and Callum Ainley is on track to return to match action in the New Year.
Newport wait on injury news about defenders Priestley Farquharson, James Clarke, Cameron Norman and Adam Lewis ahead of the fixture.
Head-to-Head
Newport have won 14 of the 41 fixtures between both sides, with the Alex winning on 13 occasions.
In their most recent meeting in August 2019, the Exiles were 1-0 winners at Rodney Parade courtesy of a 93rd minute winner from Padraig Amond.
Officials
Rebecca Welch will take charge of the game, having last officiated a Crewe game in September 2022, a 1-0 victory over Crawley Town.
She will be assisted by Richard Morris and Mark Cunliffe, with Thomas Parsons appointed as fourth official.
Elsewhere in League Two
Friday: Doncaster Rovers v Walsall; Stevenage v Barrow. Saturday: AFC Wimbledon v Grimsby Town; Carlisle United v Sutton United; Crawley Town v Swindon Town; Gillingham v Salford City; Hartlepool United v Stockport County; Leyton Orient v Bradford City; Mansfield Town v Colchester United; Northampton Town v Tranmere Rovers; Rochdale v Harrogate Town.
Tickets
| Boughey Stand | Rhino Safety Stand | Andrew Connolly Financial Planning Stand | |
| Adult | £25 (£21) | £23 (£20) | £23 (£20) |
| Senior (60+) | £19 (£16) | £17.50 (£15) | £17.50 (£15) |
| 17-19 Years | (£14.50) | (£13.50) | (£13.50) |
| Student | (£12.50) | (£12.50) | (£12.50) |
| 12-16 Years | £12 (£10) | £10 (£9.50) | £10 (£9.50) |
| Under 11 | £7.50 (£6) | £6.50 (£5.50) | £6.50 (£5.50) |
| Disabled | £19 (£16) | £17.50 (£15) | £17.50 (£15) |
| Family Ticket | N/A | N/A | £23.00* |
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