NEWPORT County AFC new boy Jamie Devitt is in the mix for a debut against Harrogate on Saturday after life at Rodney Parade started with self-isolation.

The 30-year-old sealed a loan move from Blackpool on deadline day but was not included in the Exiles' matchday squads that beat Tranmere, Stevenage, Bradford City and Colchester United in League Two.

Manager Michael Flynn has revealed that a lack of sharpness after being frozen out by the Tangerines isn't what has prevented the attacking midfielder from featuring.

"He came into contact with somebody who had Covid and we've followed all the protocols and done everything right," said the boss.

"The job that the doctor (Daniel Vaughan) and the physio Tom (Gittoes) are doing is second to none. That's why, touch wood, we have been able to keep numbers down."

South Wales Argus:

Devitt has now trained with his new teammates and is in contention for the table-toppers' home encounter with League Two new boys Harrogate.

Striker Padraig Amond knows all about his compatriot after playing alongside him at both Accrington and Morecambe and hopes to profit from his creativity.

"I have played with 'Devs' and he is a very good player," said Amond. "He is technically very, very good and can open up defences.

"He is good at getting into attacking positions and is a bit like Scott Twine, he has scored really good goals against us.

"We have strength and depth now. He is ready to come in and so are Jamie Proctor and Aaron Lewis (who also signed on loan on deadline day).

"They are really important players for us now because everyone is battling to get into the squad, let alone the team."

South Wales Argus:

Amond scored the last-gasp winner against Colchester on Tuesday after replacing Saikou Janneh in the XI.

The on-loan Bristol City forward suffered a hamstring injury when chasing a long ball at Bradford last weekend and faces a month on the sidelines.

"Saikou will be out for around four weeks, so it's not as bad as the other injuries that we have had but is still a loss because he was really getting into his stride and he's a fantastic lad," said Flynn.

He has joined striker Ryan Taylor, midfielder Lewis Collins and defenders Kyle Howkins and David Longe-King on the injured list.

The news is promising with summer signing Longe-King, who is closing in on a return to training after a pre-season groin injury.

County host Harrogate on Saturday and then have a midweek trip to Carlisle and away tie at League Two rivals Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

Flynn has frequently spoken about the need to rotate because of the hectic schedule in a condensed season but is yet to tinker with a winning team.

"You get caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. You don't want to disrupt too much rhythm and don't want to get people injured by overplaying," he said. "We've got to be lucky with injuries and suspensions."