Connah’s Quay manager Andy Morrison believes midfielder Callum Morris is ready to step up and become one of the club’s key players.
The Nomads will be putting their JD Welsh Premier League title challenge to one side this weekend as they turn their attentions to the Irn-Bru Cup, with Northern Irish outfit Coleraine standing between them and a place in the quarter-final.
After dispatching Scottish Championship side Falkirk in the previous round, Morrison’s men will fancy their chances of progressing as they look for a sixth straight win in all competitions.
Hard-working midfielder Callum Morris is again likely to be key for the Nomads. The 26-year-old has impressed of late with five goals in four games and Morrison feels there is still more to come.
“We’ve got a spine that’s very strong,” said Morrison. “They’ve got a fantastic intensity to them – Horan, Wilde, Danby, Harrison, they’re proper men and you look what’s coming behind and Callum Morris is coming behind.
“He’s one of them ones, Callum’s got that about him and he’s just coming into a really good age now and he covers the ground, he’s calm in possession, he scores goals and he’s ready really to break through.”
KENTON CONTINUES TO KICK ON
Meanwhile, Bala Town’s 100 per cent home record is likely to be under serious threat tonight for the visit of high-flying Newtown.
Bala have won each of their four homes this season but face a Newtown side who’ve risen to third in the table following a run of three consecutive victories in the WPL.
A win at Maes Tegid would leave the Robins sharing second-place in the table, level on points with The New Saints, but Chris Hughes is urging his side to remain focused.
“We are going well, we’ve had a good start but we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves,” he told the club’s official website. “All games are tough and Bala this week is one of the toughest away trips in the league.
“Bala is up there with Connah’s Quay and TNS as one of the toughest places to go.
“We just want to keep ticking over to keep getting points on the board. The run of four wins are all well and good, but they mean nothing if we can’t go and get something on Friday.
“It is going to be a really tough test with their home form, but we are prepared for it.”
Newtown picked up what was arguably their best result of the season last weekend as they secured a 2-0 win over Barry Town.
Joe Kenton scored late on in each half to give the Robins a precious win. Kenton has hit top form since being moved from the wing to a central attacking role, scoring four goals, and Hughes explained that the 20-year-old is starting to reap the rewards for his efforts on the training ground.
“He has done well, he has got great work ethic.”
“He has improved which has been great to see since he joined almost two years ago.
“He has been putting in good work that people don’t see, and has earned his place.”
WPL FIXTURES
Friday: Aberystwyth v Caernarfon, Bala Town v Newtown, Llanelli v Cardiff Met. Saturday: Barry Town v Carmarthen, Connah’s Quay v Coleraine (Irn-Bru Cup)
Please check official sources for updates prior to travelling.