NEW loan signing George Barker is set to make his debut for Newport County AFC at Cheltenham Town this afternoon.

The 22-year-old striker arrived from Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion last night and will remain at Rodney Parade until after the home match with Oxford United on January 1.

County received international clearance last night, meaning the youngster can feature at Whaddon Road as Justin Edinburgh’s men target a second away win in League Two.

Edinburgh is delighted to have replaced the injured Chris Zebroski and is also confident of extending the loan deals for Adedeji Oshilaja and Tom Naylor.

Cardiff City defender Oshilaja’s current deal runs until the end of this month but Edinburgh says talks with the Bluebirds have been positive.

“Talks have gone well with Cardiff and we’re hopeful of extending that until the end of the year,” said the Exiles boss.

“For a young boy to come in and perform to the level he has is brilliant. He’s certainly been an excellent addition to the squad.”

Naylor’s loan ends on January 4 and Edinburgh admits that his case may be more complicated than Oshilaja’s.

“We’d like to keep Tom as well,” he said. “We’ve been absolutely delighted with him.

“He’s aware that we’d like to keep him even beyond this season but it’s a little bit more complicated with Tom because he’s got another year at Derby and a new manager has gone in there.

“That changes the dynamics of the loan situation but talks have started and we’re hopeful they’ll develop over the next week or two.”

Edinburgh is still missing the suspended David Pipe for today’s match but has Andrew Hughes available again and Andy Sandell is also close to a return.

“Chris Zebroski has gone under the knife now but Andy Sandell has taken part in training, as has Max Porter,” said Edinburgh.

“Byron Anthony is running now and Aaron O’Connor has had a good week at St George’s Park.

“It’s really good news and has given everyone a lift to see them about the place and taking part. There’s a good feeling around the camp right now.

“Andy’s not too far away,” he added. “It’s more a case of holding him back. He’s done 80 or 90 per cent of what everyone else has done so it should only be a week or two before he’s back in contention.”

Edinburgh insists he is not concerned about his side’s lack of form on the road.

“It’s only one win in the league away but in the cups we’ve been to Brighton and Crawley and won so we know we’re capable of getting results away from home,” he said.

“It’s only a matter of time before that situation corrects itself.”