Adam Lewis: Newport County unsuccessful in red card appeal

Newport County have failed in an appeal to have Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis’ red card overturned.

But Newport boss Graham Coughlan hopes the full-back’s long term future will be at Rodney Parade.

“I would like to sit down with him and have a conversation around his future,” Coughlan said.

Lewis, 24, has had his second consecutive loan spell at Newport curtailed by the sending off, having made 26 League Two appearances and netting two goals.

It remains to be seen whether he will stay at the club for the last few weeks of the season, or whether he returns to Anfield.

Liverpool- born Lewis made one FA Cup appearance for his hometown club back in February 2020,

Since then has had loans at French outfit Amiens, Plymouth and Livingston before spending the last two seasons at Newport and Coughlan believes he will be an asset going forward.

“I don’t know what Liverpool want to do with him,” Coughlan added.

“If they offer him a new contract I don’t think we could compete with that, if they don’t offer him a new deal I would like to have a conversation with him.”

Lewis’ absence will be keenly felt against visiting Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, with Newcastle loanee Matty Bondswell a major doubt with a neck injury, sustained against Accrington.

Newport will make a late decision on him as they look to arrest a dreadful run of five successive defeats.

Coughlan says his staff are investigating the drop off but defended his squad.

“They certainly have not downed tools, they certainly have not disappeared onto beaches, or whatever people will be saying,” he said.

“It’s a tough, tough period, I am the manager of the group. I have to shoulder and take the criticism which is quite right.

“All I ask of them is a strong finish get beyond that 57 point mark and finish above 15th which was last season’s total. On the whole I think that would be a really successful outcome.”