Welshman Owain Jones has been given the go-ahead to play for Merthyr Town in their EvoStik Southern League match against Dorchester Town away this afternoon (Saturday, 3pm).
Former Swansea City player Jones has been granted international clearance by the Football Association and goes straight into the Martyrs squad.
It is a timely move by the FAW, who will be without Kerry Morgan and Kyle Patten. Both start suspensions after being sent off during Merthyr’s defeat at Salisbury.
Jones left Nuneaton Borough to rejoin Merthyr. He started his playing days with Pontardawe Town Juniors, signed for the Swans at 10-years-old and has also played for Yeovil Town.
He joined Nuneaton from the Martyrs on a two-year contract during the summer of 2018 and returned for a loan spell earlier this season.
That contract was cancelled by mutual consent and Jones returned to the MetCoaches Stadium.
Dorchester manager Steve Thompson has talked about his club’s hectic spell ahead of their Premier Division battle against Merthyr Town at the Clayson Stadium.
The Magpies came through an FA Trophy first qualifying round replay fixture against Yate Town in midweek thanks to goals from Ben Seymour and Harry Kite, but Thompson says he may give his players a break.
“We have put a lot of work in training on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” said Thompson. “We have hardly had a Tuesday or Thursday off all season and have put a lot of work in.
“It will be a tough game against Merthyr.”
Merthyr are eighth after 11games and have 18 ponts, while the home team are 18th on 12 points from 12 matches.
Dorchester are without Luke Winsper, who is suspended after being booked five times.
Callum Rose picked up a knock against Yate Town, while Ross Carmichael is unavailable against the Martyrs.
Tom Blair is available despite his sending off on Tuesday night on a straight red card. His ban does not kick in immediately.
The fixture at Dorchester is the second of four successive away fixtures for the Martyrs, whose next home game is against Tiverton Town on Tuesday, November 20.
They follow that with two more games at MetCoaches Stadium in Merthyr with Weymouth and Wimborne the visitors.
Merthyr are at home against Barry Town United in the Welsh Youth Cup on Sunday (MetCoaches Stadium, 2pm). Entry is free.
Merthyr Town’s next few first team fixtures:
November
Saturday 3 v Dorchester away (SL)
Saturday 10 v Lewes away (Buildbase FA Trophy)
Saturday 17 v Basingstoke Town away (SL)
Tuesday 20 v Tiverton Town home (SL)
Saturday 24 v Weymouth home (SL)
Tuesday 27 v Wimborne Town home (SL).
LEAGUE TABLE: EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTH PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH – 2018/2019
| Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | -Pts | Pts | |
 |
Weymouth | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 32 | 15 | 17 | – | 27 |
 |
Salisbury | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | – | 24 |
 |
Hendon | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 13 | 9 | – | 23 |
 |
Taunton Town | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 23 | 13 | 10 | – | 20 |
 |
Beaconsfield Town | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 14 | 8 | – | 19 |
 |
Tiverton Town | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 24 | 17 | 7 | – | 19 |
 |
Harrow Borough | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 29 | 20 | 9 | – | 18 |
 |
Merthyr Town | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 16 | 7 | – | 18 |
 |
Basingstoke Town | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 20 | 4 | – | 18 |
 |
Hartley Wintney | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 24 | 20 | 4 | – | 18 |
 |
Poole Town | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 13 | 7 | – | 16 |
 |
Gosport Borough | 12 | 5 | – | 7 | 22 | 27 | -5 | – | 15 |
 |
Walton Casuals | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 27 | -5 | – | 15 |
 |
Farnborough | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 26 | -7 | – | 14 |
 |
Metropolitan Police | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 19 | 0 | – | 13 |
 |
Frome Town | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 23 | -5 | – | 13 |
 |
Swindon Supermarine | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 0 | – | 12 |
 |
Dorchester Town | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 27 | -12 | – | 12 |
 |
Wimborne Town | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 23 | 28 | -5 | – | 10 |
 |
Kings Langley | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 22 | -8 | – | 9 |
 |
Staines Town | 12 | 2 | – | 10 | 15 | 35 | -20 | – | 6 |
 |
Chesham United | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 34 | -29 | – | 5 |