‘Exceptional’ player returns to Bristol City as Newport County seek transfer replacement

Seb Palmer-Houlden has returned to Bristol City from Newport County and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 19-year-old is on a season-long loan at Newport County, and was making an impact. He had one goal and an assist in five League Two appearances, in what was his first fully professional loan deal.

Palmer-Houlden however has been returned to the Robins, after suffering an injury for the Exiles on Tuesday. He entered as a substitute in their Carabao Cup tie with Brentford on Tuesday, but lasted just minutes.

It has emerged that he has suffered a hamstring injury, that is likely to rule him out for the next three months. He has now returned to Bristol, where he will be assessed by City’s medical team.

“It’s a bad one, we are looking at around three months,” said former Bristol Rovers manager Graham Coughlan to the South Wales Argus.

“It’s a grade three or four tear of his hamstring, which is not good.

“We are gutted for the kid and, given that he had only just come on the pitch, there is an element of frustration for me.

“Seb is distraught and had a few tears in his eyes after the game, I think that he knew it was a bad one and we got the news on Thursday.”

He added: “We had a conversation with Bristol City and his recovery is underway already. It’s just a case of whether he needs surgery or not and fingers crossed he doesn’t because that obviously adds to the recovery time.

“He will still be registered to us while going back to Bristol City for his rehab, they will look after him and when he is nearing full fitness we will pick up the baton.

“He is one player that we certainly don’t want to lose because he has been exceptional.”

Meanwhile, Olly Thomas has also returned to the Robins, with his six-month loan at Yeovil cut just a little over a month. The 18-year-old appeared in all six of the Glovers’ National League South fixtures, and scored two goals, making his first start on Bank Holiday Monday.

BBC Sport Wales journalist Rob Phillips believes that Newport are ‘hoping to tie up a loan deal’ for Thomas, following his recall on Thursday.