Newport County boss Nelson Jardim expects a “difficult game” and challenging atmosphere when his side faces rock-bottom Carlisle United.
The Exiles visit Brunton Park on Saturday in a game the Blues must win for their slim survival hopes.
While United are floundering at the foot of League Two and seemingly destined for relegation, Jardim is taking nothing for granted.
“The next game is going to be very tough at Carlisle,” he said.
“We know they’re playing at home, we know what type of atmosphere it’s going to be, and it’s not going to be much different than we faced [on Tuesday in the 1-1 draw with Bromley].
“We have to show that we’re up to it and performed well.”
Newport sit 17th in League Two and away from any serious threat of relegation danger, some 11 points above the drop zone.
They defeated Mark Hughes’ Carlisle 1-0 at Rodney Parade in February in Hughes’ second game in charge.
Jardim believes United will offer a different type of opposition to Bromley, who fought back to draw 1-1 in south Wales in midweek.
“I think their approach to the game is different, but it will be difficult, we know that,” he added in a club " target="_blank" class="link"> interview.
“We can see that when we played them back in February at home.
“That was a game of a moment, and details that dictated the result of that game.
Kyle Hudlin, who scored Newport's winner in February's meeting with United, could return from injury on Saturday (Image: Richard Parkes)
“We have to be focused and to go there knowing our jobs well, and compete.”
That night’s matchwinner, striker Kyle Hudlin, could be back in the Newport squad after an injury lay-off that has kept him out since that game. Jardim is also assessing frontman Courtney Baker-Richardson after he went off late in Tuesday’s game.
The Exiles’ recent away form is poor with four consecutive defeats on the road. Overall they have won three, drawn 14 and lost 13 away from home.
