DAVID Longe-King made an impressive start to life at the heart of the Newport County AFC defence but has had to bide his time on the sidelines after being pushed out by another promising new recruit.

Longe-King arrived in pre-season from St Albans City but suffered a groin inury before League Two got under way.

The 26-year-old made his long-awaited Football League debut off the bench to help secure a win against Morecambe and then, after Brandon Cooper was recalled by Swansea, made an impressive first start against Premier League Brighton in the FA Cup.

However, Longe-King made a costly mistake against Exeter City in his 10th appearance, trying to be too clever with a flicked header that led to the opener by the 10-man Grecians, and was substituted as County chased the game.

He hasn’t played since with Priestley Farquharson, a January signing from Connah’s Quay Nomads, making an impression on the right side of defence.

South Wales Argus:

Longe-King is one of the County contingent hoping to push back into the matchday squad for the run-in.

“He is fit and is hungry. He wants to play but at the minute Priestley is ahead of him,” said manager Michael Flynn ahead of today’s game at Colchester United.

“Then it's that versatility on the bench – with us playing three at the back we need a midfielder, a player who can play both sides at wing-back or full-back, strikers and an attacking midfielder.

“That's the only reason, there is nothing sinister in it. We've got four people not in the matchday squad who are frustrated and working hard.”