BOSS Michael Flynn said defender Kyle Howkins needed to leave Newport County AFC to get his career “back on track”.

The 6ft 5ins centre-back’s spell at Rodney Parade is effectively over after he returned to his native West Midlands with Solihull Moors.

The 24-year-old will spend the rest of the season with the National League side with his Exiles contract expiring in the summer.

Howkins started 2020/21 in Flynn’s starting line-up in the Carabao Cup upset against Swansea and made four appearances until suffering a hamstring injury.

He didn’t break back into the line-up despite the return of influential defender Brandon Cooper to the Swans.

The manager was happy for Howkins, who came through West Brom’s academy, to move to Solihull.

South Wales Argus: MOVE: Kyle Howkins has joined Solihull MoorsMOVE: Kyle Howkins has joined Solihull Moors

“He wasn't in my plans and needs to go and play football to get his career back on track,” said Flynn.

David Longe-King has slotted in impressively next to Matty Dolan and Mickey Demetriou with Flynn having Ashley Baker, midfielder Scot Bennett and young prospect Joe Woodiwiss as his current options.

“I am looking [for cover] and if the right player comes available then we will look at it,” added Flynn.

“But in terms of cover, we haven't had Kyle available all season really because of injury so it's not as urgent as maybe first thought.”

Howkins was signed on a two-year deal after being released by the Baggies in the summer of 2019.

He played 23 times in the coronavirus-curtailed 2019/20, returning from a horror head injury at Maldon & Tiptree that saw him miss the whole of December.

Howkins is relishing a fresh start in Solihull, working with his former West Brom coach Jimmy Shan.

“I’m very happy to be at the club and really looking forward to it. As soon as the club were interested I wanted to come down," he said.

“I first worked with Jimmy at my previous club, he was my first coach at under 10’s. I’m really looking forward to working with him once again.

“One of the main reasons is to get some minutes under the belt and hopefully play the remaining games.

“This is a very good team and I know the goal is promotion, so we’ll do everything to make sure we get that.”