Michael Boateng happy to be part of County’s promotion push (From South Wales Argus)

Michael Boateng happy to be part of County’s promotion push

10:00am Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport By Michael Pearlman

NEWPORT County's new recruit Michael Boateng believes he can add a new dimension to the club, providing some pace and power to aid their promotion push.

The 21-year-old former Crystal Palace man signed a deal until the end of the season with the Exiles from Sutton United just minutes before Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Kidderminster Harriers.

The Exiles were desperately unlucky to fall to an injury time defeat after dominating the new league leaders for long periods and Boateng is certain he can boost their Conference challenge ahead of a gruelling schedule of 11 games between now and April 20.

The Exiles now face three trips away in just six days and Boateng hopes he will add a new facet to County’s game as he bids to win a contract for next season...hopefully in League Two.

“It’s exciting to be here, I’m swapping Sutton United for a promotion battle in the Conference, it’s more than you could ask for,” he said.

“I’ve met all the boys, the vibe is very positive and the atmosphere is excellent. I know Dacky (assistant manager Jimmy Dack) because I was a youth team player at Woking and I think highly of him and the gaffer (Justin Edinburgh).

“They’ve been watching me for a while and when I heard that it was something I was excited about, I wanted to make the switch.

“I’m happy anywhere on the right side of the pitch and I think I bring power and pace to the side.

“I’m a willing runner and always like to get forward.

“I will bring energy and want to repay the faith the manager has shown in me, I’ll work my socks off to help this club get promoted.”

Boateng got a front row view of Tuesday’s heartbreaking defeat but he’s no stranger to the ups and downs of football.

“I started at Crystal Palace but it was the story of getting released because they thought I was too small,” he said.

“Then I went to Carshalton after being at Woking and by then I’d shot up height-wise.

“Bristol Rovers took me then and I was out on loan all the time, didn’t really get much of a look in and signed permanently for Sutton.

“It’s been disappointing but I want to play at the highest level possible and Newport’s a big club with a bright future.

“We’ve got a lot of quality, we were so unlucky on Tuesday, their goalkeeper pulled off some worldly saves but we can take a lot of positives.

“There are a lot of games to come and I hope I’ll get my chance. I’ll work hard and bide my time and hopefully when I do play I’ll show everyone what I can do.”