NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley is ready to gamble on starting veteran defender Abdoulaye Meite in the FA Cup at Plymouth Argyle today.

Westley admits that the 36-year-old Ivory Coast international was ‘ring-rusty’ when he came off the bench at Blackpool last week.

But, with Darren Jones and Paul Bignot suspended, Jamie Turley ruled out through injury and Scot Bennett, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Kyle Cameron doubtful, the Exiles boss may have no option but to start Meite.

And if that’s the case then Westley is confident that the former Marseille man, who signed a short-term deal at Rodney Parade last week, will come good.

“If needed he’ll have to be ready,” said the manager. “If needed then I’m sure he will go in and do the job and be as professional as he can be.

“I admire players who are prepared to do what he did last weekend.

“He was prepared to put himself on offer and go onto the field of play knowing he’s not quite match-sharp and I admire that.

“He’s not shying away from the situation or hiding. He’s got a love for the game and he wants to get out there and if he goes on the pitch this weekend I know he’ll go out there with a passion and enthusiasm and he’ll give everything he’s got.”

Meite was without a club after his release by Finnish side Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho in August and Westley knows he will take time to hit top form.

“Abdoulaye has not been in full training and people said to me after last weekend that he looked ring-rusty,” he said.

“I expected him to look ring-rusty, he did look ring-rusty, he’s played a reserve game this week and he still looked ring-rusty.

“We’ve got to get him up to speed and of course there’s a risk but it’s not a big financial gamble; the lad’s been brilliant with us in terms of agreeing a short-term deal that is affordable to us.

“He wants to give himself the chance to see whether he can get to the level that is going to be needed and we’ve got the chance to look at him short-term in the same regard.”

Westley added: “At 36 time catches up with everybody and you never know when time is going to call the day on any individual player.

“Some last to 38 and some players in their early 30s their legs run out and their time is done.

“Nobody can alter the sands of time but he’s a gamble that’s worth taking. It’s not a big risk for us.

“If it works out, great; if it doesn’t work out for him or for us then nobody’s lost.

“Credit to him and his love for football that he wants to be here.”