Newport County: James Clarke out for season and Shane McLoughlin may not feature again
- Published
James Clarke has scored two goals in 32 appearances this season
Newport County defender James Clarke will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
There are also major doubts over whether versatile defender Shane McLoughlin will play any further part in the 2023-24 League Two campaign.
But Graham Coughlan is unbowed despite Newport's latest injury issues.
"The season so far has been really positive and my message to the lads is we have to keep it positive and keep it strong," said the Exiles manager.
Clarke was injured during last Saturday's defeat by Mansfield Town, while McLoughlin picked up a calf problem last month against MK Dons.
"I don't think Clarkey will have any chance of getting back out on the field. I think he falls into the category of those where their season is done," Coughlan said.
"Shane's season looks as if it's pretty much close to finishing. If we get him back a week or two before the end that will be a bonus."
With Ryan Delaney already out for the season, this is yet another testing time in terms of injuries for Coughlan.
Newport have fingers crossed that striker Omar Bogle may return at some stage having been out since December with a leg injury.
Coughlan is also hopeful that teenaged defender Josh Seberry will return to action this spring having been out since October.
Newport travel to second-placed Stockport County on Saturday with Coughlan ready to include academy products Nelson Sanca and Jack Norris on the bench.
Injuries have been a bugbear for Coughlan during this campaign.
But despite the fitness issues, Newport are 12th in the table with 11 games to play and are only five points from play-offs.
Coughlan said: "The season has been frustrating so far with the adversity we have had to face from all angles.
"But all in all if the season was on an even keel and we had what we have available to us on a regular basis, I don't think we would be sitting where we sit in the division. I think we would be higher.
"The [way we have coped with the] circumstances and the adversity we have had to face and challenges we have had to get over this season is a huge testament to the football club and the group of players we have."