Preview:Newport County vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Newport County head into Friday's League Two encounter against Colchester United looking for the win which will move them into the League Two playoff spots before the weekend's fixtures.

Meanwhile, Colchester have recently ensured that they will not be relegated to the National League, freeing up the visitors to build on their recent improvements at Rodney Parade.

Match preview

For much of the campaign, the League Two promotion places have been hotly disputed, but Newport are now under pressure to ensure that they do not drop out of the running.

Consecutive defeats to Crawley Town and Sutton United have left County three points outside of the top seven, James Rowberry aware that a third setback in a row could leave his team on the brink.

More alarmingly, the Welsh outfit have collected just four points from a possible 21, and they still have to travel to third-placed Port Vale.

That said, there is an argument that Newport could relish the tags of underdogs in this situation, even if they have lost their last three games at Rodney Parade.

The only player to net for Newport in their last five matches is James Waite as 24-goal top scorer Dominic Telford continues on a run of 10 appearances without adding to his tally.

Heading into March, Colchester had failed to record back-to-back league victories all season and found themselves right in the mix as far as relegation was concerned.

However, five wins from nine matches have ensured that the club will remain in the fourth tier, Wayne Brown guiding Colchester to a total of 26 points from 19 games since his January appointment.

Brown remains with the tag of interim incumbent, but the manner of their 3-0 victory over Bradford City last time out suggested that it would be well worth the club's hierarchy handing him the reins on a full-time basis.

Freddie Sears has rediscovered his scoring touch in recent weeks, the former West Ham United youngster taking his tally to 12 goals for the season with two strikes in four games.

Team News

Barring any injury issues, Rowberry may be prepared to stick with the Newport team which lost 1-0 at Sutton.

Rowberry spoke highly of his team's performance, and it leaves Courtney Baker-Richardson as the most likely player to be drafted into the side.

Alterations to the Colchester XI are also unlikely after they coasted to a dominant triumph over Bradford.

Luke Hannant played the final 16 minutes of that fixture but only as a replacement for Cole Skuse, who was rested with the game already over as a contest.

Having made his first outing in over a month after injury, Owura Edwards may be considered for a recall on the flank.

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Day; Norman, Clarke, Demetriou, Haynes; Azaz, Bennett, Dolan; Waite; Telford, Street

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

George; Tchamadeu, Chambers, Smith, Kenlock; Skuse, Judge; Sarpong-Wiredu, Chilvers, Huws; Sears

We say: Newport County 2-0 Colchester United

There will be some who regard this contest as a 50-50 match given Colchester's recent efforts to avoid relegation. However, with the pressure on Newport to play on the front foot, we feel that the home side will come through with the win, possibly helped by an early goal.