County ready to unleash new faces

RELEGATION-THREATENED Newport County could have four new faces in their squad when they return to League Two action against promotion-chasing Swindon Town today (12.45pm).

County have not played since a 2-0 defeat at Carlisle United on January 14, due to postponements and their early FA Cup exit, and manager Graham Coughlan has been busy in the transfer market since then.

The Irishman brought in midfielder Harry Charsley on an 18-month contract from Port Vale and also completed loan deals for Matt Baker, Calum Kavanagh and Charlie McNeill before the window closed on Tuesday.

Charsley, aged 26, has worked with Coughlan before at Mansfield Town and that helped the Exiles to secure his signature despite reported interest from League One clubs.

Baker is a Wales under-21 international defender who arrives on loan from Stoke City.

The 19-year-old prospect is heading for a first taste of senior football at Rodney Parade, having come through the ranks at Gillingham.

Baker is yet to make his first team debut for the Potters but was named on the bench for Championship games against Hull City and QPR in September.

Cardiff-born Kavanagh is the son of former Bluebirds skipper Graham but, unlike his old man, the 19-year-old is a forward rather than a tough-tackling midfielder.

He has moved back to south Wales on loan from Middlesbrough. The move is his second spell away from Boro, having spent the second half of last season at Harrogate Town.

While injuries afflicted him a little as he got used to first-team football, he still impressed at times and will now hope to have an injury-free run with the Exiles.

Kavanagh arrived on deadline day alongside Manchester United starlet McNeill.

The Old Trafford giants nabbed the 19-year-old from local rivals Manchester City for a reported £750,000 in 2020 and he made his debut for United’s first team as a substitute in a Europa League match against Real Sociedad last September.

Coughlan hopes the addition of Kavanagh and McNeill can boost his side’s goal threat. They have managed just 24 in 26 games so far this season and currently sit 19th in the table, just five points above the relegation zone.

Veterans Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott both left the club last month, agreeing loan moves to Hartlepool United and Walsall respectively.

While youngsters Jack Karadogan, Harrison Bright and Lewis Collins have also gone out on loan to gain experience.