TEENAGE goalkeeper Joe Green will be on the bench for Newport County AFC in their FA Cup first round tie at Brackley Town after signing a short-term deal on Friday.

The 19-year-old free agent comes in as back-up to first choice stopper Joe Day after Rhys Taylor’s loan switch to Wrexham.

Defender Matt Taylor was on standby as an emergency ‘keeper in last week’s League Two clash with Northampton Town but was not needed.

Green has returned from a scholarship with New York College outfit Monroe Mustangs to try to make it back home in British football and has recently trained with League One clubs Chesterfield Town and Barnsley.

The youngster was recommended by former Wales international Mark Crossley, who is now goalkeeping coach at Barnsley and previously played with Sheridan at Nottingham Forest and under him at Chesterfield.

“We invited him and I’ve really liked what I’ve seen of him,” said the Exiles boss.

“He’s 6ft 2ins and he’s got a really good attitude.

“He went to America as a scholar and played out there.

“He liked the lifestyle, so he says, but he didn’t like the football so he’s come back to prove himself because he felt he was too good for that level.

“I really like him, he wants to learn and he’s ideal for what we want.

“He knows he’s a number two, hopefully he’ll learn from Joe Day and it’s an opportunity for him to learn at a professional club.

“He’s only 19 but there are lots of good things in his game.

“He’s on a day-to-day basis with us and he’ll be on the bench on Sunday and get involved in one or two reserve games.

“Obviously he’ll cover for Rhys while he’s at Wrexham and we’ll see what happens in January and what’s best for all parties.”

Speaking after the paperwork on the deal had been finalised, Green said: “I decided to come back home and try and make a career in football and try my best to make it in the Football League.

“I did a bit of work at Chesterfield with Mark Crossley and he got me this great opportunity to come down to Newport and work under John Sheridan.

“I have been training with the lads this week and they seem like a good bunch, who are really friendly and have been really welcoming.

“If I get an opportunity I want to grab it with both hands and show everyone what I am about”.

Sheridan, who played in the 1993 FA Cup final for Sheffield Wednesday, is looking forward to his latest taste of the world’s oldest cup competition.

“It’s massive for any player in the English game,” he said.

“Financially it’s big for us and there’s always that buzz when you’re in the hat that you might get one of the big teams so we have to make sure we get through this tie.”