NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley has revealed why he drafted in French free agent Maxime Blanchard instead of recalling loan star Josh Sheehan for Friday’s bottom v top clash with Doncaster Rovers.

Blanchard was signed up on a short-term deal just hours before kick-off against Rovers and played 90 minutes as the Exiles held the league leaders to a 0-0 draw at Rodney Parade.

Sheehan is County’s top scorer with seven goals this season but he has been struggling with an ankle injury in recent weeks.

He and fellow Swansea City youngster Alex Samuel stayed on the bench as Westley’s men held on to claim a point against Doncaster.

And Blanchard could start against Grimsby Town tomorrow night with Scot Bennett and Sean Rigg both doubtful due to injury.

“Blanche was not going to play but Riggy got a little niggle during the course of the week having played in the reserves on Monday and with Benno out as well we had a hole in there in terms of the type of player that I wanted,” explained Westley.

“I could have put Josh in there but it was going to be a game where you needed to be physical, where you needed to win the first [ball], win the second, win headers and be strong aerially so I needed somebody of his [Blanchard’s] ilk.

“He’s got great experience and know-how and it’s great when you can bring someone with hundreds of games in to do a job for you.”

Westley praised Blanchard’s attitude but he did not reveal how long the Frenchman would be at the club.

“It’s game by game,” said the Exiles boss. “Let’s face facts; he came in to show us where he’s at and what he could do.

“On Monday he got through 90 minutes for the reserves and did very well, he trained with us on Wednesday and he was shocked on Thursday to be asked [to play].

“But credit to him, he didn’t even discuss money. He just said ‘I love playing games and if I can wear a shirt tomorrow night I will’.

“That’s what I enjoy in a footballer – somebody who’s got a passion for the game who wants to get a shirt on and get on the pitch to play in a really tough encounter.

“I was very surprised [that he played 90 minutes]. He last played six months ago, other than the game that he played in the week.

“I held my subs back expecting him to blow up. I had a couple out there who were carrying knocks from half-time and him who I thought might blow out.

“And I might have been a little bit more attacking towards the end – I had Josh and Alex ready to go but I was just nervous because it wasn’t a game to go down to 10 men.”

South Wales Argus:

The one change Westley did make on Friday was to replace striker Aaron Williams (above) with Jaanai Gordon at half-time.

But Williams was not injured and could start against the Mariners.

“I just wanted to change what we were doing up front,” said Westley.

“Jan’s been banging in the goals and I just had a feeling that he might add a bit of value and make a bit of a difference. So sharing that shirt was always in my mind.”