NEWPORT County AFC have launched an investigation to try to get to the bottom of their current injury crisis.

County could be without up to seven players for Saturday’s trip to Carlisle United after Mark O’Brien, Scot Bennett and Jamille Matt were all forced off against Morecambe last weekend.

Andrew Crofts and Tyreeq Bakinson are also doubtful and Joss Labadie is not yet fit enough to return, despite recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament knee injury he suffered in March.

Defender Fraser Franks will miss the trip to Brunton Park as he completes his three-game ban, while Tyler Forbes, Robbie Willmott and Matty Dolan have only just returned from injury.

And manager Michael Flynn, who named himself on the bench at Stevenage last month, has held a meeting with the club’s medical staff to investigate why they have been hit by so many injuries in recent weeks.

“It’s something that we’re looking at – why it’s happening,” said the Exiles boss.

“We’ve had a meeting to try to get to the bottom of it with the medical staff.

“Sometimes you can’t put your finger on it but sometimes there is data to prove why it’s happening and that’s what we’ve been looking at.”

Flynn is operating with a relatively small squad compared to many of his rivals in League Two and there is no let-up with at least six games to play this month.

After Saturday’s trip to Carlisle, his side head to Surrey to take on Metropolitan Police FC in the FA Cup first round next week before hosting Plymouth Argyle in the Checkatrade Trophy.

County then complete the month with three league matches – at home to Colchester United and Northampton Town and away to Cheltenham Town.

They will also face a replay in the FA Cup if they fail to get the job done first time round against the Met Police.

“November is a tough month and I could do without these injuries,” said the manager.

“With a fully fit squad I think we’d be a match for anybody but I don’t know who will be fit for Saturday. There will be a couple of last-minute decisions.”

The squad will take the train to Cumbria tomorrow and it is possible that O’Brien, Bennett and Matt could all be onboard.

“They’re not as bad as feared but I’m not sure if this weekend comes too soon for them,” said Flynn.

“I’ve got to think of the players’ wellbeing. If they’re right they’ll be training on Friday and they’ll be on the train to Carlisle.

“I’m not really in a position to take the journey into account. There’s that many injuries. It’s not good but they’re a great group, they keep going.”

Flynn also gave an update on captain Crofts, who has been out since August with an Achilles problem.

“He’s responding well with his loading on it,” he explained. “Providing he has no setbacks, he’s not too far away.”