NEWPORT County AFC defender Mickey Demetriou is targeting the League Two trip to Bradford City on December 7 for his long-awaited return from injury.

The centre-back has been sidelined since suffering a broken leg in the win over Plymouth Argyle in August but he is recovering well.

Demetriou has finished his gym rehab work and is back running outside and he’s close to returning to training with his Exiles teammates.

“Hopefully I’ll be back out there training with the boys in the next couple of weeks,” said the 29-year-old.

“I’m outside running at the moment and it’s hard for me watching them train. I’ve been fine doing my rehab in the gym but they can’t control me as much when I’m outside.

“I want to be joining in with the lads. That’s where I want to be and I’ve told the physio ‘look, you’re going to have to keep the reins on me now that I can see the boys training’.

“But hopefully I’ll be in with them again in another couple of weeks.”

Demetriou was speaking to BBC Sport during half-time of County’s FA Cup win over Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.

“Fingers crossed we can get through to round three,” he added.

“I think that would be the one I’d be back for. I think next Friday [round two at Maldon & Tiptree] will be too soon but hopefully the Bradford game might be the one for me.”

South Wales Argus:

Michael Flynn’s men return to League Two action with a home match against Oldham Athletic tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Tom King, who was on the bench on Wednesday after returning from international duty with Wales, is set to reclaim his place from Nick Townsend.

“Tom hadn’t trained with us, but also Nick has been in very good form in the Leasing.com Trophy and in training,” explained Flynn.

“It was difficult, but Nick in on merit.

“He’s been outstanding and he’s been pushing Tom for a number of weeks now.

"He’s been doing very well in the games he’s played. He's been exceptional.

Flynn also felt that King's experiences over the past week - being on the bench in Azerbaijan and against Hungary in Cardiff as Wales sealed a place at Euro 2020 - could have affected his concentration.

"It was a bit of an ask to think that Tom would have been 100 per cent focused because it was such a special achievement and great for him to be involved in, " he said. “And it was the right time for Nick to get the opportunity and I felt everything he did, he did well.

“We’ve got good competition for places now and it goes to show that the recruitment we’re doing is working.”

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