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Spaner
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Date Posted: 04:06:22 08/01/02 Thu
Author Host/IP: host213-122-73-55.in-addr.btopenworld.com/213.122.73.55
Newport hit by injuries
NEWPORT are without a staggering 15 players for their opening pre-season friendly match against Pontypool at Pontypool Park on Saturday.
A number of them are doubtful for the start of the season, which is a major concern for new coaches Leigh Jones and Richard Hill.
Newport are forced to field eight under-21 players in their squad for Pontypool. Ruled out because of injuries are Matt Mostyn (Achilles' tendon), Jonathan Pritchard (broken leg after-effects), Hal Luscombe (Achilles' tendon), Jason Jones-Hughes (knee), new signing Alex Cadwallader (shoulder), Ofisa Tonu'u (knee) and Ian Gough (back). Shane Howarth has had wisdom teeth removed in hospital, Paul Young is best man at a wedding, Chris Anthony is on holiday, Rod Snow is still playing World Cup qualifiers for Canada and Jason Forster and Gareth Gravell are playing for Wales in the Commonwealth Games sevens.
Skipper Simon Raiwalui and Andy Marinos were not considered after the amount of rugby they have played this summer.
Mostyn, Pritchard, Luscombe, Jones-Hughes and Cadwallader are all likely to miss the start of the full season, the opener being against Bridgend on August 30. Gough is definitely out for the start, and fitness reports are waited on Tonu'u next week after more knee trouble.
Because of all their problems Newport include under-21 players Richard Payne, David Warwick, Michael Hook, Matthew Thomas, Dave Tovey, Rhys Jones, Marc Popham and Luke Charteris at Pontypool. Mark Anthony, cousin of Chris, and Matthew Roberts of Treorchy are other unfamiliar names.
In the absence of Raiwalui Newport will be captained by full back Matt Pini. "We are in a worrying situation with all the injuries, but we've been impressed with the input of the youngsters and this will be an opportunity for them to show us what they can do against a quality Pontypool team," said Jones.
Squad: M Pini (captain), B Breeze, D Warwick, M Roberts, N Brew, R Payne, S Williams, M Hook, J Strange, L Lane, M Thomas, C Jones, D Pattison, J Richards, M Anthony, A Garvey, M Veater, M Voyle, L Charteris, A Popham, M Popham, A Powell, R Jones, D Tovey. Kick off 2.30pm.
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