Opportunity knocks for TNS keeper Chris Mullock at Newtown
The New Saints' second string goalkeeper Chris Mullock has been handed a first team chance after joining injury-hit Welsh Premier rivals Newtown on a loan deal until the new year.
A product of the Wrexham academy, the 25-year-old joined TNS this summer from Cymru Alliance outfit Cefn Druids as understudy to Saints captain Paul Harrison.
But he now gets a chance to impress in the Welsh Premier after this week switching to the Robins on a temporary basis, where he replaces first choice Mike Platt who is sidelined for around two months with a broken thumb.
Mullock had spent several seasons with the Druids, first appearing in 2006, and has made 54 Welsh Premier appearances.
He will make his bow in tomorrow's trip to Bala Town as Newtown bid to bounce back from last week's 6-1 battering at Airbus UK.
"Chris has done fantastically since coming in at the start of the season, but he needs to go out and play games at this level," said head coach Craig Harrison.
"He is more than capable of playing in the Welsh Premier. There is nothing worse as a player if you train every day and there is no match at the end of the week. Chris will get games at Newtown up until January and we will go from there.'
Meanwhile, The New Saints will be looking to bridge the gap on the early Welsh Premier leaders when they make tonight's tricky trip to unbeaten GAP Connah's Quay.
Having got back on track with last Saturday's 3-1 win at Bala Town, the defending champions have a chance to move up to second should they prevail at the Deesiders.
But they will need to be at their best against a Connah's Quay side unbeaten in four league outings while also progressing to the second round of the Word League Cup.
They have twice beaten Prestatyn – early conquerors of TNS this season – and Saints head coach Carl Darlington anticipates a stern test.
"We know it's going to be tough as they beat Prestatyn twice in a week, both times 2-1, once in the cup and also in the league," he said
"But if we play like we can, go there with enthusiasm and get on the ball, then there's no reason we can't come away with the points."
The Saints hope to be at full strength, although left back Chris Marriott is a doubt with a dead leg.
