NEWPORT County AFC could be without Joss Labadie, Mark O’Brien and Ben Tozer for Friday's League Two clash with Port Vale.

County manager Michael Flynn made 10 changes for Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Cheltenham Town as he looked to rest key personnel.

But he is likely to be without several of his main men when Vale visit Rodney Parade on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

“I’m going to have to assess everyone,” said Flynn. “There is a bit of illness and a few people carrying niggles so I couldn’t risk them [on Tuesday].

“We’ve got people like David [Pipe], who is 34 now, and three games in six days is not healthy.

“Robbie [Willmott] has just come back from injury, we had to rest OB [O’Brien] because he came off injured [against Walsall] and Tozer is away ill so there are a lot of players missing.

“I don’t think Joss will be ready and I don’t want to lose him for a long period.”

Flynn is also frustrated that Quigley will be heading off for international duty with Ireland under-21s at the weekend after being encouraged by the youngster’s performance against Cheltenham.

“It’s the best I’ve seen Joe Quigley for us,” he said.

“That is the level he’s got to keep at and he’s fallen short of that, which he’s admitted himself.

“He’s a great kid and I thought he played very well but unfortunately Joe is going to Ireland on Saturday.

“That has kind of broken his rhythm a little bit so it’s not as clear cut as ‘I don’t fancy him’ and he’s not playing.

“He’s not been at his best a couple of times but four times he’s been away on international duty, which is not ideal for us.”

Quigley’s fellow striker Paul Hayes is also unavailable, with the club confirming this week that 34-year-old will not be able to play until January “due to unforeseen challenges with registration regulations.”

Flynn said: “It’s very frustrating but I’ve had a couple of phone calls asking if he’s available for loan so it goes to show that a lot of people don’t understand what’s behind it.”

Asked to elaborate on the situation, the Exiles boss said: “I can’t, to be honest, because I don’t really know [what the problem is].

“It’s being dealt with by the club but, contrary to what people may think, there’s been no lies or anything untoward.

“It’s all gone through the proper channels and as soon as we found out the club put a statement out.

“He’s going to continue training with us and he’s been helping out with coaching the strikers, which was always agreed.

“He’s a great character around the place and I’m looking forward to having him available in January because he’s getting that sharpness back now.”