NEWPORT County AFC have confirmed that midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe has returned to his parent club Cambridge United.

Cambridge interim head coach Joe Dunne revealed yesterday that the 21-year-old’s loan spell had been cut short.

Dunne told the Cambridge News: “Manny is back, he’s back from Newport.

“The loan finished early so he’s back with us and training with us at the moment.

“That’s all I can says as he’s been there and done what he had to do and now he’s back with us for whatever reason.

“We welcome him back, he’s part of the squad, he’s one of us and you wear the badge you’re part of the family so he’s back with us.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think he can play any games or be used by us based on results, so he will be given the responsibility to help the team, help the players.

“He gets on well with a lot of the players here and they got on well together so it’s important we carry on that camaraderie between us.”

County confirmed the news this morning in a short statement: “The Cambridge United midfielder has now returned to his parent club to resume training with the first team following his loan move in January.

“Osadebe made a handful of appearances for County and now returns to the Cambridgeshire club ahead of the new season.”

The Dundalk-born midfielder made three substitute appearances for the Exiles – against Morecambe, Colchester United and Forest Green Rovers – and played for a total of 84 minutes.

Speaking at this morning’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Crewe Alexandra, County manager Michael Flynn explained why he let Osadebe go.

“I just thought it was best because he wasn’t going to play,” he said.

“Instead of keeping him here, away from his home and where he’s settled, I thought the best thing for the player and for us was for him to return to Cambridge.

“Cambridge agreed that and that’s that. He’s gone back and he’s got to make an impact now ready for next season at Cambridge so good luck to him.”

Despite the season-ending injury sustained by captain Joss Labadie, Flynn feels he has enough cover in central midfield.

“The players we’ve got here have stepped up again,” he added.

“Josh Sheehan is back in and it was going to be difficult for him [Osadebe] to break in.

“We’ve still got Benno [Scot Bennett] who can come in there, Robbie [Willmott] can go in there, [Ben] Tozer, Matty [Dolan], Josh Sheehan, and you could even put Dan Butler in there so we’ve got a lot of options.”

The club statement also gave an update on Labadie’s injury.

“The medical team have received confirmation this week of Joss Labadie’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which is likely to keep the captain out for six to nine months.

“The midfielder will undergo surgery on Monday before beginning his road back to recovery and full fitness from mid-April.

“The club would like to take the opportunity to pass on their best wishes to Joss and his family during this period and hope he makes a full recovery over the coming months.”