ROOKIE full-backs Bradley Barry and James Brophy received a seal of approval from their manager in the wake of their midweek Town debuts and could find themselves in the action once again at Crewe.

Ex-Brighton trainee Barry and former non-league hopeful Brophy started on either flank of Mark Cooper’s defence for Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory over League Two Newport County, with both players even stepping up to dispatch inch-perfect spot-kicks in Town’s decisive penalty shoot-out victory.

Captain and right-back Nathan Thompson is still sidelined with a groin injury, Jordan Williams is away with the Welsh senior squad and left-footed full-back Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill has missed the last two games through illness.

As a result County Ground chief Mark Cooper could be forced to turn to one, or even both, of young full-backs to form part of his defence at Gretsy Road.

But on the evidence of Tuesday’s cup tie at Newport, Cooper believes Barry and Brophy capitalised on the opportunity given to them.

“It’s difficult when you come in to a team. If you’re a squad player and you get the opportunity to come in to the team and it’s strong, it’s easier,” said the Town boss.

“But when you come in to a team that’s a little bit disjointed and it’s full of squad players, you have to be extra, extra good to make that opportunity count.

“We got to do a bit of work with them (on Monday) once we realised they were going to play (against Newport) – a little bit of work defensively – and I thought we were sound defensively, apart from the one slip for the goal but they can be pleased.”

Goalkeeper Tyrell Belford also made his first appearance of the season at Rodney Parade earlier this week, with the 21-year-old a virtual spectator throughout the 1-1 draw before pulling off a crucial save to deny goalscorer Aaron Collins.

Belford has found himself behind Liverpool loanee Lawrence Vigouroux in the pecking order so far this season but Cooper paid tribute to his prowess with the ball at his feet.

The Town chief said: “When Ty plays, we can control even more possession because he’s really good with his feet and he hardly had anything to do.”