Newport C v Mansfield preview

Team News for the League Two clash between Newport County and Mansfield Town at Rodney Parade.

Newport defender Andy Sandell will miss the clash with Mansfield having been ruled out until Christmas. Sandell, a vital member of the Exiles side, missed Saturday's draw at Scunthorpe and has undergone an operation on his ruptured ligaments and to remove a bone from his foot. Justin Edinburgh is already without Bryan Anthony until 2014 and Max Porter is also sidelined but last season's top scorer Aaron O'Connor is nearing a return. O'Connor has been suffering with a groin injury but is now running on his own and if he suffers no ill effects then he could rejoin his team-mates in 10 days' time. James Jennings and Ollie Palmer are injury concerns for Mansfield ahead of their trip to south Wales to face fellow Football League newcomers Newport. Defender Jennings (ankle) and striker Palmer (concussion) both suffered their injuries during the 3-0 home win over Dagenham last weekend and have yet to train since. Stags boss Paul Cox said: "Both of them are 50-50 for Saturday and we will just have to wrap them up in cotton wool and give it until the last minute." Anthony Howell and Kieran Murtagh are fit again but might struggle to force their way into Cox's squad while goalkeeper Ian Deakin continues his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.