Ismail Yakubu has to be patient before making his debut at the heart of Merthyr Town’s defence.
The former Newport County and AFC Wimbledon was due to play against Poole Town away, but that fixture was postponed after the Martyrs’ team bus was caught up in heavy traffic.
Merthyr now play Hayes and Yeading at home on Saturday and Yakubu is ineligible because the London-based visitors are his parent club.
A clause in the loan deal means he cannot play against Hayes and his debut will be against Hartley Wintney on Saturday, November 30.
That is the first of six BetVictor Southern League games Yakubu is eligible for during a loan spell which lasts until January 2.
Yakubu was signed to help ease Merthyr through an injury crisis.
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The players recovering from injuries include talented full-back Lewis Binns, who hasn’t made an appearance this season after suffering a hernia injury pre-season.
That requires an operation which will see Binns out of action for another six weeks or more.
Kerry Morgan is expected to have a knee operation which will see the 31-year old ruled out for some time, while returning Dan Summerfield has suffered ligament damage. He is expected be available in December.
Adam Davies has a minor groin injury and is out for two weeks, while Eliot Richards, Ben Swallow, Kyle Patten and Ryan Prosser have all been suffering from niggling problems.
The good news for manager Gavin Williams is that those four will be fit and ready for the clash with Hayes at the MatCoaches Stadium on Saturday.
Yakubu, aged 34 and born in Nigeria, has played in the Football League for Newport County, AFC Wimbledon, Luton Town and Barnet.
Former Chelsea player Paul Hughes is the Hayes manager. He also played for Stockport, Crewe, Norwich, Swindon, Southampton and Luton Town.
The Hayes squad includes former Cardiff City development team striker Ogo Obi. The 21-year-old had a trial at manager Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United after netting 10 goals in five games for Watford in the 2013 Milk Cup, while Liverpool and Arsenal showed interest.
He spent some time with Cardiff before moving on and has played for Hendon Town, Hampton and Richmond plus Wealdstone.
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Ismail Yakubu can play for Merthyr Town in the following fixtures
November
Saturday 30 Hartley Wintney (home)
December
Saturday 7 v Hendon (away)
Saturday 14 v Walton Casuals (home)
Saturday 21 v Wimborne (away)
Boxing Day, Thursday 26 v Yate Town (home)
January
New Year’s Day, Wednesday 1 v Swindon Supermarine (away)
