Former Cardiff City defender Luke Coulson makes his debut against Newport County at Barnet’s Hive Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Coulson was an attacking full-back with the Bluebirds, but has been converted to lively winger and fired six goals in 17 National League starts for Eastleigh Town this season.
The 22-year-old attracted interest from Championship clubs and Eastleigh turned down two transfer offers before accepting Barnet’s approach.
Coulson is a graduate of Manchester City’s academy, moving on to Cardiff City and National League South club Oxford City before joining Eastleigh a year ago.
Bottom of the table Newport are out to spoil Coulson’s debut and midfield player Josh Sheehan looks certain to play a major role for the Exiles.
The match at Barnet will be the last appearance for Sheehan before his loan agreement from Swansea City expires, but County manager Graham Westley is in talks with the Premier League club to extend the deal until May.
Newport are confident Sheehan will again be in their team for the home match against Hartlepool United at Rodney Parade on Saturday, January 28.
“The extension hasn’t been finalised but I’ve spoken with Alan Curtis (Swansea’s loan player manager) and Nigel Rees (Swansea’s academy manager) this week,” he said.
“Conversations between the clubs are ongoing and the player and his agent are happy and looking forward to him being here.
“Nothing has been finalised and I’d never be presumptuous, but I’d be surprised if things didn’t get signed and sealed for Josh to be here until the end of the season.
“He’s progressing, he’s developing, he’s doing well, he’s in a good place in his football and it makes sense for him to capitalise on that.”
While Sheehan looks set to stay, veteran defender Abdoulaye Meite has become the seventh player to leave County this month.
Meite, 36, follows Jack Jebb, Josh O’Hanlon and Meite have all moved on, while loan signings Rhys Healey, Kyle Cameron, Jordan Green and Reece Grego-Cox have returned to their own clubs.
Midfield players Ben Tozer and Jack Compton have both been told their can leave County.
County are bottom of League Two, six points from safety, and have earned only one point from their last nine League Two fixtures. That came from their 1-1 draw against Colchester United at home last weekend.
