Met Police signings ineligible for FA Cup tie

Posted Thursday, November 08, 2018 by PA

The Metropolitan Police will be without new signings Ollie Robinson and Luke Robertson for Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie against Newport.

The Southern League Premier Division South side play in English soccer’s seventh tier and last reached the first round six years ago.

But Robinson and Robertson will both miss Newport’s visit to Imber Court as they are cup-tied.

And the home side, fresh from a 4-3 league victory over Farnborough last time out, have lost the services of left-sided midfielder Alex Fisher due to injury.

Newport, whose last FA Cup game was a fourth-round replay against Tottenham at Wembley nine months ago, will be boosted by Fraser Franks’ return from suspension.

Franks has missed the last three matches after being sent off in league action against Crawley, while fellow defenders Mark O’Brien and Scott Bennett are expected to be fit after injuries and enter manager Michael Flynn’s selection mix.

Elsewhere, midfielders Andrew Crofts and Joss Labadie are unlikely to make the trip to Surrey.

Crofts has been troubled by an inflammation of his Achilles, while Labadie, who recently rejoined the club, has not played since March due to a serious knee injury.