Former Cardiff City youth Yorwerth looks forward to return to his homeland

Crawley Town defender Josh Yorwerth is relishing a return to his native Wales on Saturday.
Sam Jones tangles with Josh Yorwerth
Picture by Michael White SUS-170320-162826002Sam Jones tangles with Josh Yorwerth
Picture by Michael White SUS-170320-162826002
Sam Jones tangles with Josh Yorwerth Picture by Michael White SUS-170320-162826002

Reds make the trip to second-bottom Newport County for a League Two clash, looking to make it back-to-back victories.

The fixture will have added importance for the 22-year-old Bridgend-born defender as he returns to his country of birth.

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Yorwerth had a loan spell with Southern League Premier Merthyr Town earlier in the campaign and is relishing another game in his homeland.

Crawley Town's Josh Yorwerth scores against Newport County (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-161217-181040002Crawley Town's Josh Yorwerth scores against Newport County (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-161217-181040002
Crawley Town's Josh Yorwerth scores against Newport County (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-161217-181040002

He said: “It’ll be nice to go back to Wales on Saturday. I don’t know too much about Newport and have never really followed them closely.

“A few of my friends spent time on loan with them while I was at Cardiff, so it’ll be nice to come up against them.

“I’m not sure how it’s going to work after the game with regards to time off but I try and get back as much as possible to spend time with family.”

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Looking back on his previous stint in Wales, Yorwerth feels that is something which benefited him greatly.

Crawleuy Town celebrate Josh Yorwerth's opening goal Crawley v Yeovil. Picture by PW Sporting Photography SUS-170301-115859002Crawleuy Town celebrate Josh Yorwerth's opening goal Crawley v Yeovil. Picture by PW Sporting Photography SUS-170301-115859002
Crawleuy Town celebrate Josh Yorwerth's opening goal Crawley v Yeovil. Picture by PW Sporting Photography SUS-170301-115859002

A chance to spend time back at home and get much-needed game time is something that has helped him re-establish his Crawley starting place.

After Mark Connolly was forced off through injury against Crewe Alexandra, Yorwerth has filled the void left by him in central defence.

Having impressed in the previous two matches, the Welshman is hoping to cement a spot in Dermot Drummy’s starting XI for the rest of the season.

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He added: “They say you make your own luck in football but it is never nice to see a team-mate get injured.

Crawley Town's Josh Yorwerth scores against Newport County (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-161217-181040002Crawley Town's Josh Yorwerth scores against Newport County (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-161217-181040002
Crawley Town's Josh Yorwerth scores against Newport County (Photo by Jon Rigby) SUS-161217-181040002

“I was the man to come in and replace Mark after he got injured against Crewe and it’s about me taking my opportunity.

“I sat down with the manager in the season and we both felt a move away would be good for me. Merthyr came in and I feel that was a beneficial month or so for me. It allowed me to get a run of games as well as spending time back at home.”

Yorwerth was used in a central midfield role earlier in the campaign, before being deployed in his familiar position of centre half recently.

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Although enjoying a midfield role, long-term central he wants to play in central defence.

He said: “I really enjoyed playing in midfield but I’ve been brought up as a centre-half.

“I came through the academy at Cardiff City in that role and that’s where I’m most comfortable.”