Northampton Town v Newport County

Newport County have conceded nine goals in four League Two games, level with Accrington Stanley and more than any of the other 22 clubs in the division. Newport County have also scored nine, the joint second-most behind Bristol Rovers. Northampton Town have done neither. Three goals conceded is the joint second-fewest in League Two, two scored is the joint fewest, and Northampton Town have drawn three of four games without winning one. The most open side in the division goes to the most stubborn one.

Possession is not how Newport County are doing it. An average of 34 per cent is the lowest of the 24 clubs, and Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Salford City was the extreme version: 26 per cent of the ball and four shots against 74 per cent and 32, and a goal scored anyway. Sixfields asks whether that works against a side that has conceded three goals in four League Two games. Hayden Mullins, the Newport County manager, has a squad still changing shape around him.

Newport County announced three more loan signings on 2 September, the day after the transfer window shut. Kion Etete, a striker, arrives from Cardiff City for the season, and had a loan spell at Northampton Town earlier in his career, from Tottenham Hotspur. Michael Adu-Poku, a winger, comes from Watford, also for the season. Matty Jacob, a left-back, joins from Hull City on a short-term deal. That is 15 arrivals Newport County have announced on the club’s own site since the window opened: the twelve Cover counted from twelve club notices, ending with Tanatswa Nyakuhwa on 1 September, plus these three the day after. Etete is the second Cardiff City forward Newport County have taken on loan in two days. Newport County have not said whether any of the three is registered in time for Sixfields. Neither club has published team news, so no absentee is named here and the XI stays unconfirmed. Alan Young referees. Newport County host Fleetwood Town on 12 September.