DEADLINE day loan signing Harry McKirdy could be the secret weapon for Newport County AFC this evening, and he’s got a score to settle with Manchester City.
McKirdy is yet to feature for County since arriving on loan from Championship club Aston Villa on January 31.
But the 21-year-old forward is now fit and he could make his Exiles debut in tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with City.
“Harry is available. He can come in,” said manager Michael Flynn.
“He’s definitely registered. He might be involved and he might not.
“It depends how I feel and whether I feel he’s ready or not. It wouldn’t be a bad debut for him.
“He’s a big Chelsea fan and I think he went to the game last Sunday [a 6-0 defeat against City at the Etihad Stadium] so he’s got a score to settle.”
Flynn hopes McKirdy can fill the hole left by Antoine Semenyo, who was recalled by his parent club Bristol City after the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough in round four.
“He gives us another attacking option,” said the boss.
“Losing Antoine was a big blow to us because he was fantastic. He fitted in excellently with how we want to play and he gave us a lot of different options.
“We’ve had to adapt and change things slightly and it’s worked well.
“Harry’s a pest, he doesn’t stop – on or off the pitch,” he added.
“He played against us for Crewe a couple of years back and he didn’t stop running. He was winding the crowd up and he’s just a bundle of energy.
“He looks about 12 but he’s got a fantastic attitude and he’s one who will do a lot of work for the team.”
Club captain Andrew Crofts is ruled out with a calf problem he picked up before the recent win over Mansfield Town.
But fellow midfielder Joss Labadie and defender Mark O’Brien, who missed Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to MK Dons, are both fit to return.
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