ENG FAC PREVIEW: Wrexham vs Newport County

Posted Friday, November 30, 2018 by PA

Wrexham are set to be without striker Rekeil Pyke for Saturday’s FA Cup second-round clash with Newport at the Racecourse Ground.

Pyke, who is Wrexham’s joint top scorer this season with five goals, suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s goalless Vanarama National League draw with Barrow.

He was forced off during the first half, and Wrexham boss Sam Ricketts is resigned to being without him for the all-Welsh cup clash.

Defender Manny Smith, though, could be back in the mix after stepping up his recovery from a long-term knee problem by playing in a behind-closed-doors game on Wednesday.

Newport enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run last season, beating Leeds in the third round before taking Premier League club Tottenham to a Wembley replay after drawing 1-1 at Rodney Parade.

County boss Michael Flynn watched his side claim an impressive midweek league victory over Northampton, and his selection appears unlikely to deviate far from that starting XI.

Scot Bennett, Robbie Willmott and Matty Dolan are again unlikely to be available because of hamstring injuries, while Joss Labadie looks a non-starter as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

And there are doubts over Tyler Forbes and Keanu Marsh-Brown, who are both nursing knocks.