Newport County strike duo missing for Oldham Athletic test

Harris, who has scored twice in five appearances since joining on loan from Cardiff City, is on international duty with the Wales under-21 side.

And 18-year-old Semenyo, who has one goal in six games since he signed on loan from Bristol City, is again ruled out with concussion after suffering a bang to the head in last week’s Carabao Cup defeat to Oxford United.

“I’ve just been informed Antoine’s not available because of the concussion and that he’s under 19,” said frustrated Exiles boss Michael Flynn.

“He’s between 17 and 19 and that means you have to have extra protocol, which is absolutely crazy. The physio is not in my good books!

“Concussion is concussion – there is the seven-day protocol.

“I get that and player welfare is the main priority, but I can’t imagine [why] a two-month [difference in age] means a player has to have an extra five days off or has to come back to train for five days after their week’s up.

“I don’t understand, I’m not a doctor so I’m not going to say much about it but let’s just say I’m not happy.”

Semenyo turns 19 in January and would then be treated under standard return-to-play procedures.

It’s a blow for Flynn because Harris has been called up for Wales’ under-21 European qualifiers in Bangor against Liechtenstein on Friday and Portugal on Tuesday.

“Mark Harris has been very good for us so we’re going to miss him,” he added.

“It’s why I’m more incensed than normal [about Semenyo’s absence].

“We’re down to the bare bones. You need luck with injuries and I could have done with one more being called up because we could have had the game called off if that was the case.”

Fellow striker Padraig Amond was forced off with an injury at Port Vale last Saturday but he should be fit to partner Jamille Matt up front at Boundary Park.

Flynn said: “If Padraig Amond is out I’ll only have one striker, but he should be fine.”

Robbie Willmott (hamstring) and Andrew Crofts (ankle) are also doubtful for Saturday’s match.