NEWPORT County AFC have strengthened their defence by bringing back Matt Baker from Stoke City on a season-long loan.
The 20-year-old made an impression at Rodney Parade when getting a first taste of senior football in the second half of last season.
The Wales Under-21s international, who is currently recovering from a minor injury, made 18 appearances, initially as a holding midfielder before moving back to his preferred position of central defender.
A deal has been struck with the Potters to bring the bright prospect back for a second spell in Newport, to the delight of boss Graham Coughlan.
“Matt wanted to come back. In fact, he never wanted to leave,” said the manager. “When you have players like that who are desperate to play for this football club it’s a no-brainer.
“He gives us good coverage in two or three different positions, and he knows what we are all about.
“He’s a great addition and the more good men we have in the trenches with us the better chance we have of fighting the war.”
Baker, who is from Kent but plays for Wales courtesy of his mother from Narberth, is not eligible for tomorrow’s League Two clash with AFC Wimbledon.
He will aim to make his County return in the trip to Crawley a week on Saturday and will provide Coughlan with more depth.
Baker has shown he is comfortable as a sitting midfielder or across a back three, while he could no doubt play right-back if needed.
He joins captain Ryan Delaney, James Clarke, fit-again Declan Drysdale and novice Josh Seberry as a central defensive option, with summer signing Kyle Jameson sidelined by a hip injury.
With a hectic schedule over the autumn, Baker provides extra numbers that will enable County to rotate and switch between formations.
He becomes the 13th signing of a hectic summer after the arrivals of goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, defenders Delaney, Jameson and Seberry, right-backs Shane McLoughlin and Lewis Payne (loan), left-backs Adam Lewis and Matty Bondswell (both loan), midfielder Bryn Morris, attacker Nathan Wood and strikers Seb Palmer-Houlden and Olly Thomas (both loan).
County are only allowed to name five loanees in a matchday squad but that won't be an issue until at least December due to Palmer-Houlden suffering a hamstring injury.
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