James Crole back in action for Newport County after injury frustration

Newport County striker James Crole is back from an ankle injury and aims to use the EFL Trophy to force his way into the League Two side's plans.

James Crole has made his return to action for Newport County after a frustrating pre-season ankle injury. The 22-year-old striker came off the bench in the Exiles' 4-1 victory over Chesterfield, a match in which Cameron Norman, Thomas Davies, Harrison Biggins, and Yahya Bamba all found the net.

Crole suffered the injury in only the second session of pre-season training, derailing his hopes of building on a strong finish to the previous term. "It's been frustrating," Crole said.

He went without a goal or assist in his first ten outings for the club after joining from the Cymru Premier in January. His form then turned, contributing a goal and four assists across his final ten matches of last season.

Need for minutes

The Welsh forward admits he is playing catch-up after missing the entire pre-season programme. "I haven't really had a pre-season, so any minutes are going to help me," he stated. Manager Graham Coughlan has spoken about the need to manage Crole's fitness carefully. Coughlan said.

Trophy opportunity

Crole's immediate focus is on impressing in the EFL Trophy, where he scored in a recent 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace Under-21s on Tuesday 3 November. He hopes strong performances in the competition can help him secure a regular starting role in the league. Crole explained. The club views the competition as a vital platform for players returning from injury or seeking form.

The team's recent form has been mixed, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five outings, following a sequence of results that included a 1-0 win over Colchester, a 1-1 draw with York, a 2-2 draw at Rotherham, a 1-0 loss at Cheltenham, and the 4-1 win over Chesterfield. Crole's added attacking threat could provide a welcome boost as they look to climb the table and close a 13-point gap to the leaders, having scored 20 goals and conceded 17 so far this season. The striker's versatility, capable of playing out wide or through the middle, offers Coughlan additional tactical options. Newport's next league fixture is against promotion-chasing Wrexham, a match where squad depth will be tested, before they travel to face fourth-placed Crewe on Saturday 14 November.