Shaquille Gwengwe is back for Newport County as they host Crystal Palace Under-21s in a decisive Jersey Mike's Trophy group match on Tuesday night. The 25-year-old forward has completed a three-match suspension for an off-the-ball incident and is named in the starting lineup for the 7pm kick-off at Rodney Parade.
Hayden Mullins, the Newport manager who began his playing career at Crystal Palace, has set his side up to attack. "We have tried to attack in all competitions and set up to win, this week will be no different," Mullins said. His team only requires a draw from the fixture to secure a place in the competition's second round, having scored 3 goals and conceded 2 in their two group games so far.
The young Eagles side, featuring the likes of D Angibeaud and A Crole, are in action while the senior Crystal Palace team prepares for a key Premier League fixture. The first team, currently 18th in the league table with just seven points from nine games, host fifth-placed Liverpool on Sunday. Their recent form of one win, one draw and three defeats includes a 2-0 loss at Tottenham last Friday. That defeat at Tottenham on 31 October was part of a run of one win, one draw and three losses in their last five league matches, leaving them with a record of two wins, one draw and six losses this season. They have scored only nine goals while conceding twenty one, leaving them with a goal difference of minus twelve and seventeen points behind the league leaders. The senior side's last victory was a 1-0 win at Fulham on 28 October, with Eddie Nketiah scoring the goal.
Newport's focus remains on progressing in the Trophy before an FA Cup tie against Walsall this Saturday. "We will be fighting on all fronts," said Mullins, whose side will host that cup match. The Trophy group is led by Plymouth, who finish their campaign at home to Swindon also on Tuesday. Newport's substitutes for the Palace U21s match include T Davies.
The report in full is at bbc.co.uk
