Spellman out to score like Shearer as Newport County starter

The 22-year-old joined the Exiles from Sunderland in the summer and, after featuring prominently in pre-season, was in line to be in the XI on opening weekend in League Two.

However, a groin injury out of the blue when crossing a ball in training on the Wednesday before the Whaddon Road clash scuppered his hopes.

However, the left-footer is pushing hard to be in the County XI at Tranmere tomorrow afternoon after seven appearances off the bench.

“This year has been tough for me because at Sunderland I was injured from January to April,” said the Geordie, who suffered a knee issue with the Black Cats Under-21s in Premier League Two.

“You need to be mentally strong and keep going with the belief that you will get back to the way that you were before.

WINGER: Michael Spellman is pushing for a Newport County start (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“You need good people around you to help you. The lads and staff have been great, they have pushed me on and I have slowly got back to where I want to be.

“It's always tough seeing the lads going out to train when you can't go but it's about doing the right stuff in the gym to get back out on the pitch as soon as possible.

“When coming back from injury you just have to be patient and ready for when the chance comes.”

Spellman hasn’t started a competitive senior game since scoring against Hereford in a 5-0 win when on loan at Blyth Spartans in National League North in April, 2023.

He’d love that to change in Birkenhead this weekend, or failing that in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy trip to Reading, but the forward will also relish being an impact sub.

“It's been a long time since I’ve started and I am always ready,” said Spellman, who scored against Salford just seconds after coming on. “I've worked hard to get back as soon as possible and get the sharpness back.

“The last 10 to 15 minutes of games is always tough, especially when both teams are pushing for the win, and as a sub you need to be ready. I just want to be on the pitch showing what I can do.”

Spellman may have played for Sunderland – making his senior debut in the Carabao Cup – yet it’s the Toon that he holds dear.

Newport County winger Michael Spellman (Image: Lewis Mitchell/Huw Evans Agency)

The Newcastle fan’s idol is predictable even if he was three when he retired – “I would have to say it's Alan Shearer, you want to be scoring in those important games” – and the Magpies continue to provide inspiration.

“I rarely get a chance [due to playing] but when I’m back home I do try to watch the games because it’s great to learn from players in your positions,” said the forward, who can play on either wing plus in the ‘10’ role.

“You want to push as high as you can in the game and the Premier League is the level that everyone wants to play at, so you have to learn from those players.”

Spellman has big ambitions as a player and for County after arriving on a two-year contract in the summer.

“It was always going to be tough with the amount of new lads but we've gelled well and the togetherness in the squad is great,” he said.

“We all want to push on and the style of football the gaffer is trying to instil is great and exactly how I want to play.

“There is endless talent in this squad, the lads are brilliant and everyone works so hard to push each other. The competitiveness in the squad is brilliant and everyone wants to be a starter.”

And those that take to the field at Prenton Park are tasked with hunting back-to-back wins on the road after a success at Gillingham, which was followed by a goalless home draw with Fleetwood.

“Away performances are massive for us. If we can pick up points away then we will put ourselves in a much better position,” said Spellman.

“These next two months are massive with a lot of games where we need to get good results to push on.”