MATT Baker has pledge to go full throttle for Newport County AFC against Manchester United, whatever his role.
It was initially feared that the Stoke City loanee would not be available this weekend after he suffered a knee injury in the closing stages of the League Two win against Doncaster.
Baker watched on as his teammates beat Eastleigh in an FA Cup replay to earn a shot at the Red Devils, then got good news.
The Wales Under-21s international lost his spot on the right side of the defensive trio but returned as a substitute to close out the game in the 1-0 win against Wrexham last weekend.
Whether as a centre-back or a hard-pressing midfielder, the 20-year-old from Kent is a leading candidate to come back into the XI should manager Graham Coughlan chose to tinker with his team.
Baker’s approach will be the same whatever his boss decides.
“Whether starting or not, you have got to always be on it,” he said. “You can’t take your foot off the gas.
“If you are on the bench you need to be ready to come on and make a difference, whether that is seeing out a game or helping to get a goal. The attitude needs to be the same and I think that all of us in the squad are ready to work hard.”
Baker, an Arsenal fan, was a frustrating spectator when County beat Eastleigh 3-1 to ensure it’s Manchester United rather than Harrogate this weekend.
“It was a tough one to take after coming off late at Doncaster. We have been on a good run of form and it felt like I was contributing to that,” he said.
“Missing the game at Eastleigh was tough but the lads did brilliantly. I was there to support them but was kicking myself that I wasn’t on the pitch to be a part of it.
“That’s part of football and you just have to deal with those disappointments. Luckily the injury wasn’t too bad, the pain eased down and I was able to come back quickly.”
Baker, whose Stoke contract expires this summer, is in his second spell with the Exiles after arriving in January 2023 for a first taste of senior football. He made 18 appearances last season and is on 21 for the current campaign.
“I wanted to go back out on loan and play week in, week out, which I did last year” he said. “I trusted the gaffer and felt that he trusted me.
“I felt that there was unfinished business because I was only at the club for half a season. I really enjoyed it here – the players, staff, fans – so it was a bit of a no-brainer.
“It’s paid off because I’m loving it, I’m learning lots and what better experience can you get than playing against United?”
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