COREY Whitely added to the injury worries for Newport County AFC on Tuesday night but manager Michael Flynn hopes to have some key men back for Saturday’s trip to Bradford City, with Mickey Demetriou "very close" to being involved.

County were without Demetriou, Dan Leadbitter, Mark O’Brien, Kyle Howkins, Scot Bennett, Robbie Willmott, Joss Labadie, Ade Azeez and Keanu Marsh-Brown for their Leasing.com Trophy tie against Brighton & Hove Albion under-21s.

And Whitely was also forced off due to injury before the Exiles won 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at the Amex Stadium.

But Flynn hopes the injury problems will ease for the return to League Two action at Valley Parade this weekend.

“Corey Whitely had to come off with an injury, but hopefully there should be a few back for Saturday,” said the Exiles boss.

“Mickey [Demetriou] is very close. He could be involved.”

South Wales Argus:

Flynn suggested before Tuesday’s tie that he may even have to re-register as a player at the age of 39 due to the injury crisis but he opted instead to field a team with an average age of 22, with 17-year-old’s Joe Woodiwiss and Dom Jefferies excelling.

Asked how close he’d come to naming himself in the matchday squad, the manager said: “It was never going to happen. I was just emphasizing how bad the injuries are.

“My back’s still bad and, unless we only had 11 [fit] players and I had no choice, I would never stand in the way of somebody who could make their debut or have another first-team experience.

“I don’t want to play. I wouldn’t enjoy it now because I wouldn’t be able to do what I used to do.

“I’d much rather be on the sidelines and watch these young players do well.”

Reacting to Monday’s FA Cup third-round draw, which means County will travel to Millwall in January, Flynn said: “I think it’s a good opportunity to go and express ourselves and play against another Championship club.

“It’s going to be tough, of course it is. We’re away from home against a Championship club and they’re not going to take us lightly.

“But we go there and we know we can cause an upset. We’ll see where it takes us.

“I’ve played at the Den before. It’s fine. I like the atmosphere; I like the hostility and that’s what it will definitely be.

“We’re massive underdogs but I think we seem to like that.”

Read more: Newport County boss Michael Flynn on the hunt for goalscorers