JOHN Sheridan is hoping to get a double fitness boost from new signings Mike Fondop and Tope Obadeyi ahead of Saturday's trip to Newport County.

Both missed Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers, with Fondop absent due to concussion protocols after suffering a head injury on his debut at Scunthorpe United, while Obadeyi was sidelined with a minor knee problem.

But, having only been able to name six substitutes with Harry Vaughan on international duty, Hallam Hope still sidelined with injury and Raphael Diarra having returned to France short-term following a bereavement, Sheridan was optimistic that both Fondop and Obadeyi would be available this weekend, as Latics go into the game with the chance to climb out of the relegation zone.

"Tope got a bang on his knee and didn't train. He's been sore today but hopefully he'll be all right on Saturday," said Sheridan.

"I think it was a case if he played (on Tuesday) he'd possibly make it worse and then there's a chance he'd miss four or five games with it. And obviously Mike's had concussion and you have to be careful with head injuries.

"I think big Mike will be fit and available for Saturday, I'm hoping Tope will be too. Hallam Hope's doing a bit of running and everything else so he's not far off."

Sheridan added that there were other knocks to be cautious with, and with three games in a week they would be treading carefully in training.

"When you play Saturday-Tuesday training's really light and you take care of people, people get knocks," he explained.

"Clarkey (Jordan Clarke) had a knock with his knee and he did well to play.

"We've just got to take care of the players."

The absence of both Fondop and Obadeyi meant a start for Junior Luamba, who was unlucky not to score and add to Davis Keillor-Dunn's brace to make the win over Bristol Rovers more comfortable, while Dylan Bahamboula and Nicky Adams also forced saves from the goalkeeper.

"Davis got the goals but I thought big Dylan (Bahamboula) was good tonight, he was winning things and putting himself about using his presence, and young Junior (Luamba) is a threat," said Sheridan.

"I'd like to look at the team effort more than individuals.

"It was a team effort on Saturday and again tonight, and against Rochdale in difficult conditions.

"It's about the team, I don't like picking individuals out.

"Everyone put a shift in and it's a great team effort. You won't win games with one or two players performing, you'll win them with eight or nine performing on the day."