Newport County

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa says he has returned to Rodney Parade with unfinished business after rejoining the Exiles on loan from Cardiff City.

The 20-year-old was one of four deadline-day arrivals and is back for a second spell after making seven appearances for Newport last season before an injury brought his campaign to an early end.

Now fit again and back at his home-city club, Nyakuhwa believes supporters have only seen a glimpse of what he can offer.

"I am coming back to finish what I started last season," he said.

"I'm sure the fans would have seen a bit of what I am about, but I know I can do a lot more and bring a lot more to the team."

Last season's stint at Newport gave Nyakuhwa a first taste of senior football.

The Newport-born winger provided two assists in County colours in 2025-26 - but has returned with goals on his mind.

"It's my hometown. I've been waiting for that moment, so hopefully I can get more than just the one goal as well," he said.

Nyakuhwa feels there is a "clean slate" at Newport this season, with the mood around the club significantly different.

Conversations with new boss Hayden Mullins have added to Nyakuhwa's excitement over representing the Exiles.

"He has a clear idea of how he wants to play, how he's going to use me and how he wants the team to play," said Nyakuhwa.

"I'll fight for him as much as I can. The manager's ideas are clear, and I think it gives us all an opportunity to stake a claim to the team and make the shirt yours."

Mullins has been impressed by the attacker's attitude.

"Tan's come in with a big smile on his face. He's a really positive personality and I have seen some good bits from him already," he said.

Having made his first appearance since returning to Newport in the 1-0 defeat at Northampton Town last weekend, Nyakuhwa is now focusing on Saturday's home game against Fleetwood Town.

"I was speaking to my friends and saying the atmosphere at Rodney Parade, you can't replicate it anywhere else," he said.

"I can't wait to play in front of them again."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins believes his side deserved a draw during their 1-0 loss at Northampton on Saturday.

The Exiles were beaten when Irish midfielder Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh struck late to break County hearts.

Mullins' side have now lost two games on the spin, but he insists they were unfortunate and let down by mistakes.

"One mistake, we got punished and it's happening a bit at the moment. We were in a little bit of control in the game, the ball comes to us and it's a poor turnover in the middle of the park," said Mullins.

"There's another mistake there somewhere and at the moment we're getting punished. It was a good strike from the guy."

"I just said to the lads 'for everything we put into the game, obviously we didn't deserve to come away with nothing'. They definitely deserved a point at least."

Frustratingly for County, they have suffered defeats in all three of their away league games so far, but Mullins acknowledged the small details that they need to tighten up.

"I don't think the disappointment comes from us getting done by one goal. It's not like we've come away and been absolutely dominated and been opened up," he added.

"Salford was the same where they were a good side, but they beat us by one goal in the end."

He added: "I think it's just us tweaking those bits, which we know we need to work on and we know we can be a little bit tighter on and then hopefully we can address that."

County strengthened on transfer deadline day, bringing four new additions and three of them appeared at Sixfields on Saturday and drew praise from boss Mullins.

"I think Matty (Jacob) offers a good experience in that position. He's level-headed, competes really well. I think he's come off his legs where we're starting to go a little bit on 60 minutes, so we had to get him off," Mullins said.

"Tanatswa (Nyakhuwa) and Michael (Adu Poku) offer us a little bit of pace and athleticism in wide areas, which is good and something that we needed. I think all three came on and added to us."

Image source, BBC Sport

Newport County have undergone a summer of change, with 15 players signed and Hayden Mullins appointed as the club's new manager.

It was a busy deadline day for the Exiles, with Watford's Michael Adu-Poku, Cardiff's Kion Etete and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, and Hull's Matty Jacob joining on loan.

Other summer additions include permanent returns for Harrison Biggins and Kyle Cameron, and a deal for current League Two top scorer Shaquille Gwengwe.

After the close of the transfer window, and a positive start to the campaign, we want to know if you are happy with County's summer business?

Do you think Mullins has the correct balance of players at his disposal? Have Newport added enough experience to the squad?

Have they been left light in any positions? Which of the new signings gets you most excited? Where does the transfer window leave your season expectations?

Send us your views here.

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Hayden Mullins admitted Newport County were "running on empty" when Salford scored a last-minute winner.

The Exiles looked set for a surprise victory against an Ammies side that made the 2025-26 League Two play-offs when Harrison Biggins scored a remarkable opener in the 71st minute.

But Salford hit back to claim a first win of the season thanks to Taylor Allen's equaliser and a last-minute goal by Kelly N'Mai.

"Conceding in the 90th minute is always tough," said Mullins, whose side earned a home draw with Tranmere by scoring in the closing stages last weekend.

"The boys were running on empty in the end. We put in such a shift."

Salford's late show meant that for the second successive season Newport got no reward for a goal from their own half.

On-loan Sammy Braybrooke scored from distance at Colchester last December while Biggins struck from even further out.

The midfielder intercepted the ball on the edge of his box and then lobbed goalkeeper Will Norris from 70 yards.

"It was absolutely fantastic, he's been threatening that for a couple of weeks now," said Mullins.

"We know he's got that in his armoury and he put in a really good battling performance for us as well. He puts a lot of running in for the team and really grafts.

"He deserved that, it's just a shame we couldn't top the evening off with a result."

Newport travel to Northampton, who are yet to win this season, on Saturday, 5 September (15:00 BST).

Image source, Getty Images

Transfer deadline day is upon us and today is the final chance for your EFL club to finalise any business until January.

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has revealed Shaquille Gwengwe jokingly asked to play up front after scoring his third and fourth goals of the season.

Gwengwe, who netted 46 non-league goals in the past season, scored his first County brace as they drew 2-2 with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has been deployed on the left wing for the Exiles so far this season, but would prefer to start in his more natural striker position.

No player in League Two has scored more goals than the former Southern League Premier Division South standout, and Mullins would not want a chance to fall to any other County player.

"Shaq has done really well. He's getting the rewards from his hard work," said Mullins.

"He's playing in an area of the pitch which is not his first position, but he is doing a job for the team.

"Jokingly, he just said to me, 'Have I earned a place up front yet?' I said, 'We could change you, but the goals may dry up, so be careful what you wish for'."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Gwengwe also scored in Newport's opening League Two win against Rochdale and the following 5-3 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

"He's scored four in three games. Shaq is doing a good job for the team. He popped up at the end when we needed him, and that's a mark of a good player and a good striker," added Mullins.

"It was a measured finish, on his right foot. At that time we had pushed him up front with Cole [Jarvis]. We needed a goal, and he's picked up the chance at the end.

"To be fair, you don't want it to fall to anybody else. He's in real good form at the moment. He is a striker that thrives in those moments."

Mullins has been pleased not only to see Gwengwe net in three consecutive games, but also with the quality of the former Poole Town forward's efforts.

"All of his goals have been striker's goals. He's come up a couple of levels, but you wouldn't think it. I keep reminding him that it comes from hard work and graft," Mullins said after the Tranmere draw.

"It won't be easy, he will feel, but he's doing really well. He got man of the match today, which he deserved."

Newport sit 11th in League Two after three games and travel to Salford, who are yet to win a point, on Tuesday, 1 September (19:45 BST).

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Newport County boss Hayden Mullins hailed his side remaining unbeaten at Rodney Parade after The Exiles salvaged a late draw against Tranmere on Saturday.

Trailing 2-1, Shaquille Gwengwe rescued a point with a 90th minute strike, meaning Newport have taken four points from their opening two home fixtures this season.

In the 2025-25 campaign, they lost 13 of their 22 league games at Rodney Parade, amassing just 22 points as they battled to survive relegation.

After the game, Mullins was asked about his desire to make his home ground a "fortress".

"Yeah, it's big. It's big for us," he replied.

"I think the one big positive is us scoring last in the game and drawing the game. It still feels like we've got something out of the game and we've got to take that.

"We are unbeaten at home. The fans have helped today, the boys have come off the bench and everyone's helped."

Newport now have two away games, at Salford and Northampton, before hosting Fleetwood Town on 12 September.

"It's a real, real big plus and a bonus that we're unbeaten at home, and we've got to use that. We've got to use it as fuel and really strive to make this place a real tough place to come."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Cole Jarvis says scoring his first Football League goal for Newport "means everything" after a career proving himself at every level.

The 25-year-old came off the bench to score in Saturday's 5-3 Severnside derby defeat to Bristol Rovers, heading home just five minutes after replacing Christian Doidge in his first League Two appearance of the season.

The goal marked another milestone in Jarvis' "upwards trajectory", which has taken him from Merthyr Town's academy, through the Welsh football pyramid and now into the EFL.

"For somebody like me who's never come through the academy set-up and has always had to prove myself, it's a massive achievement," said Jarvis.

"My family and I are so proud; it means everything.

"But it's not the end there. We look for more, we strive for more, and we strive to be better."

Having scored seven times for Merthyr in the first-half of last season, Jarvis made the move to Newport in January, but admits transitioning to full-time football is "a challenge".

"I came in at a difficult time," he said. "It's not an opportunity you can turn down, and I felt I was ready for it.

"It was a tough end to the season, but we've got something great going on now, so we keep building."

After making 11 substitute appearances under former boss Christian Fuchs, Jarvis feels the arrival of Hayden Mullins has brought renewed optimism to the group.

Mullins deployed Jarvis as a makeshift striker at Rovers in the absence of James Crole and Jed Garner, and the versatile midfielder is happy to embrace his new role.

"I'm really invested in him. I feel like we can do something really good together as a group," said Jarvis.

"I want to be on the pitch. I'll do whatever it takes for the team. Whatever scenario or position I'm in, I'm there to give 100%."

And Mullins, who likened Jarvis' versatility to his own playing days, was pleased to see him score a goal straight from the training ground.

"Alfie [Merritt] went down the left, crossed it and Cole finished with his head, so it stuck in our heads from there," he said.

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Despite the defeat, Jarvis described the Bristol Rovers match as the "biggest derby" he has been a part of, with his elation at scoring clear to see.

His family and friends were among those watching, but there was little opportunity to savour his "excellent" heading moment as the Exiles were hungry for more.

"I didn't get to celebrate properly in front of the fans because I had to pick up the ball and run back to the centre circle," he said.

"My family were there. They loved it, I loved it, but we'll have one day where we can celebrate properly."

Jarvis will be hoping that opportunity arrives on Saturday when Newport host Tranmere, and the former Martyrs man insisted there is nowhere he would rather be than Rodney Parade.

"It's the best place to be. The fans are so supportive, they're very passionate, and we can't thank them enough."

We asked Newport County supporters how they feel about the start Hayden Mullins' charges have made to the new season, and whether they were disappointed with Bobby Kamwa's celebration for Bristol Rovers.

Kamwa, scorer of the goal which kept Newport in League Two at the end of last season, ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Newport fans after his first goal in Bristol Rovers colours.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Andy: It's early days for us. After last season's tightrope walk, we have to show our staying power. It could be our honeymoon period, but things look definitely on the up. I don't blame Bobby Kamwa, but I do think he could have shown more maturity from the off and acknowledged the Newport fans and club for the support and development his career has received.

Tony: Everyone has the right to seek employment elsewhere, so let the authorities deal with misconduct on the field, and we supporters should just concentrate on encouraging our squad, and stop wasting energy on chanting abuse at players. That's just letting the majority of supporters and certainly the good name of our club down. I think we need a defence-minded midfield general, someone who's not afraid to put his foot in where it hurts and another wide man to feed our strikers.

Terry: I suggested Newport will do better this season because there looked to be more goals in the squad and six from two is a great return - although clearly the defence needs tightening. As for Bobby Kamwa, he had taken his fair share of abuse on the day, and he got caught up in the moment as the adrenaline kicked in - although he probably should not have celebrated in such a fashion.

Tim: Having seen the first two games, I feel more confident about our season ahead. We are scoring goals, which has been an issue in the past. As regards Kamwa, then yes, he overstepped the mark. All players get stick when playing former teams, and he should remember that he was going nowhere until County took a chance on him and resurrected his career.

Ashley: The starting XI looks genuinely competitive. Bristol Rovers are fancied for promotion and that match could have swung either way, so there's real reason for optimism. The concern is depth. There are good players outside the XI - James Crole, Cameron Evans, Matt Smith - but the squad still feels light in key areas. Without reinforcements, grinding through games while carrying knocks will be difficult.

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Newport County manager Hayden Mullins expects another demanding afternoon when his side host Tranmere Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST), warning that "no game will be easy" in League Two this season.

The Exiles return to Rodney Parade looking to bounce back from last weekend's entertaining 5-3 Severnside derby defeat at Bristol Rovers, a match Mullins felt provided plenty of encouragement despite the result.

"It was a real derby atmosphere. The game had everything really," said Mullins.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I enjoyed our performance, our character, our energy and our threat to their goal.

"What I asked the boys to do, I saw for large periods of the game."

Newport have made a positive start under Mullins, who has quickly established consistency by naming the same starting XI in all three competitive fixtures to date.

That cohesion has been reflected in attack, with County scoring six goals in their past two matches after often struggling to find the target last term.

The Exiles were ahead after just 15 seconds at the Memorial Stadium before ultimately falling short, and Mullins wants another fast start at Rodney Parade.

"Come Saturday at three o'clock, we've got to start right, start fast and hopefully we're positive and can get the crowd with us," he said.

The fixture also provides a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

When the sides met at Rodney Parade in March, Newport climbed out of the League Two relegation zone for the first time in 151 days, a result that proved pivotal in their eventual survival.

Last term Newport won just six times at home, but having secured a 3-0 win to Rochdale on the opening day, the mood is now considerably brighter.

But Mullins does not expect it to be easy for the visit of a Tranmere side showing signs of improvement under manager Darrell Clarke.

Before Clarke's arrival earlier this summer, Rovers won just one of their final 12 league matches of last season as they finished two points behind the Exiles.

However, they have opened the new campaign unbeaten with four points from their first two League Two games and sit fourth.

"I've watched their two games and they work incredibly hard," said Mullins on the test ahead of his side.

"They've got a bit of quality in their team as well, so we understand the threats they pose.

"Darrell Clarke's teams are never easy to play against, and I'm sure he'll have his team well drilled and well versed on us."

Former Newport striker Courtney Baker-Richardson could also feature against his old club.

The forward scored four goals last season for County and made his first Tranmere appearance off the bench on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Newport midfielder Cole Jarvis, who played alongside Baker-Richardson last season, is anticipating a physical encounter.

"We've gone through some bits, and they seem a physical side," said Jarvis.

"But I have no fear in us getting the three points."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County manager Hayden Mullins has urged patience as the Exiles work to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

The 47-year-old admitted he would have liked the remaining business to be done sooner, but says circumstances around prospective signings have slowed progress.

Newport have already made 11 signings this summer, most recently landing midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias on loan from Fulham

But former Fulham under-21 boss Mullins has indicated further recruits remain a possibility before the deadline on Tuesday, 1 September at 23:00 BST.

"We are looking to try and do something. We're still looking. Hopefully we can get those through and over the line," said Mullins.

"The players we're looking at are involved in their own games as well, so I have to be a little bit patient.

"The group are in a good place, so it's nothing I'm looking for immediately to go into the group.

"It's just the strength that we need and the depth and the competition around the group that we need to try and get in."

While Newport continue to explore the market, the County boss stressed he is not expecting any departures before the window closes.

"Everyone in the building at the moment is part of the plan, so I've got no immediate plans to do anything there," he said.

"It's a long season so we're going to need bodies. For the meantime, I think we're settled."

Newport host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 BST) before travelling to Salford City on transfer deadline day.

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With fixtures coming thick and fast, Mullins acknowledged rotation may soon become necessary after naming the same lineup in all three competitive matches this season.

"We're mindful that we're potentially going to have to make changes. The squad is there for a reason, and we will use it," he said.

Mullins pointed to the impact of his substitutes against Bristol Rovers, with Alfie Merritt providing an assist and Cole Jarvis scoring Newport's late consolation goal.

"All the boys who came on added to the performance," he added.

Despite injuries to Jed Garner and James Crole, Mullins suggested striker is not an area he is currently looking to strengthen.

A move to sign a winger, which would allow Shaquille Gwengwe (pictured above) to move back to his preferred position up front, could not be ruled out.

"Shaq Gwengwe can fill that role; we've got Christian Doidgie, Jed Garner, Cole Jarvis did it on Saturday and helped, and we've still got James Crole who is out injured," said Mullins.

"We're hoping Croley will be back in the coming weeks.

"I think the group is in a good place. It's got strong competition at the moment. We just need to add in a few areas of the pitch where we feel a little bit light."

Newport County have made an encouraging start to life under Hayden Mullins, despite defeat by Bristol Rovers in League Two on Saturday.

The Exiles suffered a 5-3 loss at the Memorial Stadium after winning their the league opener against Rochdale and being beaten on penalties by League One AFC Wimbledon.

It has been a solid start by a side tipped to struggle after avoiding relegation on the last day of 2025-26.

What did you make of the performance in Bristol, and how disappointing was the celebration by former County forward Bobby Kamwa after his goal?

Did he have the right to enjoy the moment after being a target following his summer move?

With games against Tranmere and Salford coming up, what does Mullins need to add in the final days of the transfer window?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.