A DEAD rubber in the EFL Trophy on a Tuesday night in Plymouth might not be the most mouth-watering of fixtures but Newport County AFC new boy Jamie Devitt is desperate to get the nod at Home Park.

Exiles boss Michael Flynn has pledged to ring the changes for the encounter against the Pilgrims (kick-off 7pm) after a hectic start to the season.

County cannot qualify for the last 32 after losing to Cheltenham Town and Norwich City U21s at Rodney Parade, so the boss’ priority is planning for a return to action in League Two.

“There will be a lot of changes, the only thing that I’ve got to make sure I do is avoid a fine for breaching the selection rules,” said Flynn after Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup win against Leyton Orient.

Devitt hopes that he is one of the senior figures included by Flynn to dodge EFL sanctions.

The 30-year-old Irishman scored his first Exiles goal in the 3-2 loss at Carlisle last Tuesday and then fired in a spectacular winner at Orient.

South Wales Argus:

Devitt is on loan from Blackpool until January but started life at County in self-isolation after coming into close contact with an individual who had coronavirus.

The attacking midfielder made his debut off the bench against Harrogate, came on early in Carlisle and then started at Brisbane Road.

After suffering an injury-plagued 2019/20 when on loan at Bradford and then being frozen out by Blackpool, Devitt wants to get more games under his belt.

“I’m buzzing because it’s been a long time since I’ve played,” said Devitt. “The gaffer has so much faith in me and that gives me confidence to go out there and play my best.

“My missus and kids have had to put up with me moaning and being down but to see me back on the pitch, they’re buzzing. They stuck by me when I was hard work, to be honest.”

“I want to play every game. Everybody in the changing room does so that we can keep the momentum going,” he continued.

“I’ve scored in the last two, so want to keep my momentum going but it’s down to the manager and there will be lads that need minutes.”

South Wales Argus:

Devitt has already shown his creativity in his brief time at County, as well as an eye for a spectacular strike. The experienced campaigner hopes that he can play his part in the Exiles pushing for League One.

“I am 30 and know I can play at this level easily,” he said. “I played with the manager at this level (with Bradford) around 10 or 11 years ago!

“We have been good friends ever since and have spoken regularly on the phone. It was perfect timing to come down and hopefully help the team to promotion. With the players that we have at the club it is definitely possible.”

County’s hopes of challenging at the top will be shaped by fortune with injuries and suspensions, so Flynn will be pleased that they have a breather after tonight’s fixture.

But Devitt, while pleased for Josh Sheehan, Tom King, Brandon Cooper and Aaron Lewis that their country called, is frustrated that the Exiles won’t be travelling to Grimsby as planned this weekend.

“I’m disappointed there’s no game on Saturday, I wanted to keep playing. I felt good today, that’s the longest that I have played in 16 to 18 months,” said Devitt, who hasn’t played a full 90 minutes since Carlisle’s loss to Notts County in March, 2019.

“I felt tired towards the end – and the gaffer gave me some stick about that – but I am just looking forward to getting back on the pitch as soon as possible.”