Argyle team news for second EFL Trophy group game at Newport

Jack MacKenzie will get another chance to build towards full match fitness when Plymouth Argyle play Newport County in their second EFL Trophy group stage game at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night (7pm).

The left-back made his first League One appearance of the season as an 88th minute substitute in the 2-0 win away to Leyton Orient on Saturday.

MacKenzie has had several injury issues since signing for Argyle from Aberdeen in the summer of 2025, and had a knee operation in the summer.

Then when he was close to making his comeback from that the 26-year-old had a setback when he suffered a groin problem before returning to action by playing the first half of the 5-1 EFL Trophy win at home to Crystal Palace under-21s on September 22.

Lathrope said: "For Macca at the weekend it was brilliant, we are all delighted for him. It's another hurdle he has overcome, first league minutes of the season.

"Even in that short spell on the pitch you could see his aggression, he's an all-in character and you trust him fully, whether it be for five minutes, 15 minutes, start of the game whatever it may be.

"Absolutely no problem throwing him into the game at the weekend. In the very short period of time he was on the pitch he didn't put a foot wrong.

"Tomorrow night will be a perfect opportunity to get more minutes, build again for him, build his confidence in his body and his performance and I'm sure he will have a good night."

When Argyle beat Palace U21s, head coach Tom Cleverley changed all 11 players from the previous league game, the 4-2 win away to Blackpool.

Something similar will happen again this time. Lathrope said: "There will be a lot of changes, how many we will find out tomorrow, there may be a couple that have got to go again based on just numbers.

"But there will be a lot of change and a lot of opportunity for the lads that again deserve the opportunity to be on the pitch and for those real valuable minutes into their legs."

MacKenzie will be one of those changes, and so will midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson, who could not play against Orient on Saturday because he is on a season-long loan from the O's.

Lathrope said: "T has done great since he has come into us. He has played a lot of minutes. Naturally, the opportunity to get him back on the pitch tomorrow is a no-brainer considering he didn't play at the weekend.

"Bradley Ibrahim comes in and does great, and the competition for places is really strong. I'm sure T will be desperate to get on the pitch tomorrow and give himself the best chance to make it a tough decision for the manager come the weekend."

Young Argyle pair Tegan Finn and Caleb Roberts have been on loan to Torquay United over the last month but are still eligible to play for the Pilgrims in the EFL Trophy.

Roberts, who played for the first hour of the victory over Palace U21s, was a second half substitute for Torquay when they won 1-0 at Tonbridge Angels in the Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday, but Finn was not in the Gulls' squad.

Lathrope said: "Expect to see Caleb and Tegan involved, not Freddie (Issaka, who is on loan to Gateshead). There has been a change of manager at his loan club so Freddie is not going to be involved."

On Finn, Lathrope said: "He had a very minor issue at the back end of last week that kept him out of the game at the weekend but we were hopeful he would be okay for tomorrow and so far it looks positive and we should be able to see him on the pitch at some point."

Argyle will take on AFC Wimbledon in a 12.30pm kick-off at Home Park on Saturday, but first they face Newport, who, like the Pilgrims, won their first EFL Trophy group stage game this season, 2-0 away to Swindon Town on September 22.

Newport appointed Hayden Mullins as their new boss this summer and they are currently 15th in League Two with 10 points from nine games.

Lathrope said: "It will be a tough test. As we know any professional outfit, particularly when you are going away from home, is going to be a challenge.

"Hayden and the staff there are doing a great job. I think it's well documented that Newport have struggled for a few seasons now and he really seems to have steadied the ship there and he's doing a good job.

"For sure, it's going to be a tough challenge and it's not going to be easy but we are going to approach it as we always do, as I said last time (against Palace U21s), the same way we do any other fixture and give ourselves the best chance of winning the game."

You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE

PlymouthLive has launched a Plymouth Argyle transfer news and top stories group on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we'll send all the latest straight to your phone.

To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the PlymouthLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.