Mark Hughes has challenged Carlisle United to emulate tonight’s opponents Newport County as they bid to start their League Two recovery.

The Blues head to Rodney Parade tonight (kick-off 7.45pm) for their rearranged clash with Nelson Jardim’s Exiles.

Newport, who had been looking over their shoulders at the wrong end of the table, have just strung together three straight wins to ease their worries.

That is the sort of form Carlisle are desperate for as they try to close the gap at the foot of the league - the Blues having failed to win even two games in a row for nearly two years.

“Three back-to-back wins at any level is great and it just gets you out of trouble,” said Hughes ahead of his second game in charge.

“That's basically what we need to do, so let's see if we can start the process.”

Carlisle return to south Wales tonight having seen January’s trip to Newport postponed because of Storm Darragh.

New boss Hughes is challenging the team to rid themselves of some of the “naivety” he felt was evident during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Grimsby Town.

But he also wants them to build on some of the more positive aspects of their display at Blundell Park.

“We would have benefited with a positive result, be it the win or even a draw because that was the least we deserved,” said Hughes.

“It wasn't to be but I think everybody who was there saw, maybe, a difference in the manner of the performance and the players themselves feel more encouraged I'm sure.”

Another player available to Hughes tonight is wide man Jordan Jones, who served a one-match suspension on Saturday.

The new Blues boss is pleased to have as many options as possible as he tries to work out a successful formula.

“We’re still getting to know the players,” he said.

“There were guys who didn’t take part or didn’t have an opportunity [on Saturday], so they're still very much in my thoughts.

Jordan Jones, right, returns from suspension tonight (Image: Ben Holmes)

“We've got plenty of talent in the building and I just need to get the combinations right and give ourselves our best chance.”

The quick turnaround in away games gives Hughes and No2 Glyn Hodges minimal time on the training ground at this early point of their reign.

But Mike Williamson’s successor says there will be plenty of analysis and discussion on the way forward for the team.

“In terms of time on the training pitch, there's not a great deal of that, but there can be in terms of analysing the game and understanding what parts we need to be aware of,” he added.

“Maybe we don’t have a great deal of opportunity to actually work on them, but we certainly can talk about them and discuss them, and hopefully, if those situations arise in the game, the guys will be primed on and understand how to deal with them.”

A win could see Carlisle reduce the five-point gap to safety tonight, whilst third-bottom rivals Tranmere Rovers are also in action, at home to Fleetwood Town.

Hughes, though, is reluctant to scrutinise the fortunes of other sides at this stage. “Maybe further down the line, we'll be looking more closely at the results of other teams, but at the moment it's in our hands and we've just got to get on with what we can do,” he said.

“If we can affect that, then we don't have to rely on anybody.”

Carlisle are seeking a first ever victory at Rodney Parade having made nine winless trip to Newport's ground since the Exiles returned to the EFL in 2013.

It has been five defeats and four draws in that time - United's last away win over Newport coming in 1988 at their previous home of Somerton Park.

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