Newport boss Jardim eyes Rodney Parade chance to bounce back

Newport County manager Nelson Jardim admits they are missing their old heads – but says heading home will help pave the way for their return.

The young Exiles lost a third match on the spin as they went down 2-0 at League Two leaders Barrow.

Jardim says injured senior duo James Clarke and Aaron Wildig should be back in “two or three weeks” to help boost the side.

But, with back-to-back home fixtures against Crewe Alexandra and Salford City to come, Jardim believes his team can return to winning ways in the meantime.

Speaking after the loss, Jardim said: “We are missing the experienced players. The timing with losing Clarkey and Wildig, just to mention those two, of course my options in these games would have been better if they were with us.

“But it’s making sure when they come back in two or three weeks to work hard to make sure we can pick up again and see the future in a positive manner.

“Barrow showed why they are top of the league, they are a good team who play good football but are also a physical team. If you look every one-v-one we came across we lost most of them.

“But we have to go back, to address what we need to do and look forward to make sure these home games are massive for us; we have two games to bring some more points for us.

“We know the direction we want to take, it’s just keeping the boys motivated and focussed on their jobs.”

County are 13th in the table after early momentum has faded, but Jardim added: “With seven games done, we are halfway up the table. If you would have told me to have nine points at mid-table at this stage I would have taken it at the start of the season.”