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I'd rather have County's love for graft than Colchester's money - boss Coughlan

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BOSS Graham Coughlan believes Newport County AFC have shown that hard graft trumps a chequebook as they prepare to face big-spending League Two strugglers Colchester.

The Exiles are on the brink of retaining their Football League status thanks to a strong run of form since the January transfer window.

Coughlan made four additions to his squad - midfielder Harry Charsley and the young loan trio of Matt Baker, Calum Kavanagh and Charlie McNeiil - and they have helped build an 11-point gap over the drop zone.

Colchester went big in the transfer window to sign nine players after a horror first half of the season, including the eye-catching addition of Exeter's Matt Jay.

They had an initial upturn but have take just three points from their last seven games and are five above second-from-bottom Hartlepool.

"There was quite a lot of talk and noise in December and January when they went on their spending spree," said Coughlan.

"They've gone through three managers over the course of the season and big finances don't bring stability, it's hard work, graft on the training pitch and honest players.

"That is what we have got, we have a really good group of players and I believe a top management team who know their way around this division.

"Between me, Joe [Dunne, assistant manager], the rest of the staff and the players, we have got some really good people at the club, and football has always been about good people.

"That is why we have an 11-point gap - we have some good people here and have done really well to stave off any danger."

County beat Colchester in Coughlan's first game in charge at Rodney Parade and enjoyed another win against the U's in the FA Cup.

County manager Graham Coughlan (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

"They've changed the landscape somewhat financially in what they committed in January - we have done it through hard work while they have done it through finances," continued Coughlan.

"That's the uneven playing field that exists in League Two but I'd much rather have it our way than their way. Our group of lads are really looking forward to the game."

Full-back Aaron Lewis is back in the mix after missing the 3-1 win at Tranmere a fortnight ago and it is hoped central defender Priestley Farquharson will also return.

His fellow centre-back Declan Drysdale is pushing for action after a swifter return from knee surgery than expected, although the Exiles won't rush him after being unable to slot in a reserve game to get him and others game time.

Last Saturday's game with Harrogate was postponed due to international call-ups.

Midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh started in Guyana's 2-0 win over Bermuda last Saturday but did not feature in the 0-0 draw with Montserrat on Wednesday.

He landed on Thursday and County need to assess how much involvement he will have in Colchester while two others were reunited with their teammates earlier this week.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend started in Antigua and Barbuda's 1-0 win over Guadeloupe and late 2-1 loss to Barbados on Sunday.

Defender Matt Baker played the full 90 minutes in Wales Under-21s' 1-0 friendly win against Scotland in Spain last Sunday.

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