JOEL LYNCH hopes to make his first start for Crawley Town after he made his return from injury last time out.

The defender made an appearance off the bench during the 1-0 win over Barrow thanks to a goal from Kwesi Appiah, the club's third win in a row on home soil after seeing off Rochdale and Swindon town.

Lynch had been absent from the side since the 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers in March.

This season he has played 19 times in the league, scoring on two occasions.

Crawley will aim to take strong home form with them to Wales, as they target a first league away win for two months when they take on Newport County in the Sky Bet League Two clash on Friday.

Crawley’s last success on the road was at Harrogate in early February, while Newport have only won one of their last four home games.

Newport midfielder Robbie Willmott could be a doubt for the match at Rodney Parade.

Willmott limped off during a 1-0 victory over Swindon last weekend that put County back in the play-off places.

Jake Cain impressed off the bench on his return after a rib injury and appears a likely starter, while centre-back Josh Pask is available again after recovering from a hamstring injury.

League Two top-scorer Dom Telford, meanwhile, could be recalled after his impressive substitute’s role in the Swindon game.