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Newport head coach Nelson Jardim has challenged captain Aaron Wildig to have his best goal season yet.

The 32-year-old is Newport's top scorer this season having netted four times in the league playing in a role behind the main striker.

He notched ten goals in helping previous club Morecambe to promotion from the fourth tier in 2021, when the Shrimpers beat Mike Flynn’s Newport in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

And Jardim said he has set Wildig the target of going beyond that tally.

“He is such an important player for us and I was spot on when I named him and James Clarke as captains," said Jardim.

“I don’t hide it, I like players like Aaron. He is very technical, he has that craft in front of goal and final third movement.”

Wildig added to his tally in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Salford City at Rodney Parade, just three days after beating Crewe.

Newport will be without Matt Baker who is with Wales under-21s preparing for their crunch qualifier against Czech Republic at Rodney Parade next Friday.

Ciaran Brennan is an option but Newport hope Clarke could make a timely return to the defence having been sidelined since August with a leg injury.

Jardim admitted the joint captain has been missed.

“Unfortunately, we saw that in a bad way but, looking for positives, that gave an opportunity for others to be exposed and that only makes them improve," he said.

“The fact he was not there was not good. He could not help the youngsters but they actually learned because he was not there. It's that improvement and progress we are looking for."