Keith Curle is expecting captain Danny Grainger to be fit for Carlisle United's game at Newport County.

Cumbrian left-back Grainger scored the Blues' goal in their 1-1 FA Cup second round draw at Gillingham from the penalty spot but had to be substituted with 20 minutes to go with a rib injury.

But at yesterday's weekly press conference, United's boss said his skipper was "fit, ready to travel and able to compete in games" ahead of tomorrow's match at Rodney Parade (3pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, Grainger's first strike in Carlisle's 4-0 home victory over Yeovil has been shortlisted for League Two Goal of the Month for November.

The other two goals nominated are Chesterfield man Jak McCourt's strike in a 2-2 draw with Swindon and Luton midfielder Olly Lee's long-distance effort in a 7-0 thrashing of Cambridge.

Voting opened this morning at 6am on the Sky Sports website. Search for EFL Goal of the Month to find the link to the correct page.

Curle's side have been beaten on their last three trips to south Wales.

The Exiles are ninth in League Two, just two points outside the play-off places and three ahead of the Cumbrians, after they avoided relegation into the National League on the final day of last season.

And the Blues boss expects Newport to be dangerous from set-pieces.

Curle said: "I think, if you are looking at their results and how they are scoring their goals, I think 66 per cent of their goals have been scored from set-pieces.

"They are a high-energy team, slightly confrontational, like to get the ball forward, like to get people in [good] areas and they want to put the ball in the box. They're creative, competitive and like to get the first contact in both boxes."

United's manager added: "You obviously identify what their strengths are. They put the ball in the box, they have willing workers and willing runners, [and] they're very competitive in the final third. They are very competitive in midfield.

"A couple of their players I know [because] I had signed them previously. So, I know a little bit more about some of their individuals. But they're a very competitive team who try to get the crowd going by playing high-energy football.

"We can match that. We can play that same level of football, as well. Likewise, if it turns into a bit of a game of football, we can match do that, as well.

"But their main threat is to get confrontational - you can't take a backwards step because that could let them into our 18-yard box and invite pressure. That's not what we are about.

"I think we have built a reputation whereby we can mix it, we can go toe-to-toe, we can play confrontational football. But, likewise, we can earn the right to play in the right areas when it is on."

On Newport's pitch at Rodney Parade, which has had a £750,000 summer overhaul, Curle said: "Arguably, [it's] vastly improved on last season which I think didn't help them and didn't help opponents.

"A lot of people were, not so much complaining, but felt the pitch was a leveller. Within that, I don't think it helped them in their fight to avoid relegation.

"This season, I think they have invested some time, energy and man power - and won't be having as many games of rugby [County share their pitch with rugby clubs Newport RFC and the Dragons] - on it.

"That will help the playing surface for them, as well. Their results have been quite good at home."