NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is ready to gamble by going into the final five games of the season without a back-up goalkeeper, writes Andrew Penman.

Nick Townsend, the regular deputy for Exiles number on Joe Day, is ruled out with a bicep injury and Flynn revealed last week that he was looking into the possibility of signing a goalkeeper in an emergency loan deal.

County have looked at several options and invited them to train with the first-team squad over the past few weeks.

But Flynn has now decided to go without a reserve stopper, unless Day is injured or suspended over the next few weeks.

“It’s alright for now,” said the manager. “If something happens to Joe then we can get an emergency loan in.

“But I’m not just going to get somebody in for the sake of it.

“We’ve been enquiring, but with no real success at the minute.

“If Joe was suspended or injured then the goalkeeper coming in would obviously play, so that would give you a better pool of goalkeepers [to choose from].”

South Wales Argus:

In the event of an injury or red card for Day (above) in tomorrow’s home clash with Bury, or in the remaining matches against Macclesfield Town, Lincoln City, Oldham Athletic and Morecambe, an outfield player would have to don the gloves.

Flynn feels that is a risk worth taking, and he believes having seven outfield players on the bench could give the Exiles the edge they need in the race for a place in the League Two play-offs.

“People will say it’s a risk, but it gives us the opportunity to put another outfield player on the bench and give us more options if we need to hold on to a game or chase a game,” he said.

“I can pick seven outfield players and that edge could be decisive.

“I’m not the only manager not to have a goalkeeper on the bench. Plenty do it by choice anyway.”

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