Laing leaving leaves Blyth in a quandary

BLYTH Spartans’ central defensive problems have resurfaced with the news recent signing Louis Laing is to leave the club.

The former Motherwell and Inverness defender joined Blyth after he left Hartlepool United following an unhappy spell at Victoria Park.

However, after only a handful of appearances for the Croft Park club, the 25-year-old former Sunderland trainee has secured a move to play in China.

That leaves Blyth boss Alun Armstrong in a bit of a quandary, especially as Aaron Cunningham’s loan spell from Hartlepool ends in January.

Armstrong told the Chronicle: “We knew when Laing signed for us on non-contract terms it may turn out to be a short-term deal.

“It is disappointing that has turned out to be the case - but he is someone who should be playing at a higher level.

“It is a massive blow as he is a composed player who reads the game reallywell and he will be a big miss.

“We already have Ryan Hutchinson out for the season and I seem to have had problems at the heart of the defence ever since I came to the club.”

Armstrong is now pinning his hopes on extending Cunnigham’s loan until the end of the season.

He added: “Cunningham is only a young lad but he has done very well for us.

“We would like to keep him on loan but he is Hartepool’s player.”

Blyth’s reward for beating Marske United on Saturday, meanwhile, is an away tie against either Guiseley or Lancaster City in the first round of the FA Trophy.

The Spartans have already won at FA Cup giantkillers Guiseley this season in National League North, the Lions with home advantage in the replay.