GRADUATE Kai Whitmore intends to show he’s a fast learner at Newport County AFC as he gets to grips with the high standards of being a pro.
The 23-year-old is enjoying his first season at Rodney Parade after earning a chance thanks to his exploits in the Cymru Premier.
The midfielder has moved into the full-time ranks after previously being with Penybont and Haverfordwest Whitmore combined that with studying engineering in Swansea, with his course completed last summer when a two-year contract with County meant he didn’t have to make his decision on how to specialise.
The midfielder has shown his talent in flashes in 11 appearances, a tally that would have been higher were it not for a calf injury suffered in an impressive goal-scoring performance against Doncaster in August.
“I am still adapting to going from part-time to full-time,” said Whitmore. “The injury set me back but I am coming up to the standard now and getting used to it.
“It is tough going from training twice a week to four times, plus the intensity of those sessions. It’s tough on the body playing this many games.”
Whitmore is having to work on his fitness and quality on the ball under head coach Nelson Jardim, a boss with great expectations.
“He demands high standards with everything, on and off the pitch,” said Whitmore. “His style of football is attractive and I enjoy working with him while he does demand a lot off the ball, because that affects what you do on it.”
Whitmore will also hope to play his part in filling the void after captain Aaron Wildig’s season-ending knee injury.
The veteran midfielder, who had moved into a deeper role, suffered the blow against Grimsby and that led to Kieron Evans joining Whitmore and Bryn Morris in the middle in the goalless draw at Notts County last weekend.
It was a promising start to life without Wildig but there is no denying the loss of the *-year-old is a huge blow.
“He is our captain and leader. You can't see what he does in the dressing room, he has a massive impact on everyone,” admitted Whitmore.
DONS' HECTIC SCHEDULE
COUNTY have a rare weekend off after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Peterborough in the first round and they could prosper from being fresher than their hosts at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
The Dons have a hectic schedule as they play catch-up due to pitch damage due to flooding in August at their Plough Lane home.
Wimbledon were edged out 1-0 by Walsall last weekend but enjoyed a 2-0 win at Tranmere on Tuesday to heap more pressure on Rovers boss Nigel Adkins.
Johnnie Jackson's side host Dagenham & Redbridge in the cup on Saturday before hosting the Exiles.
They climbed to seventh in League Two with their victory in Birkenhead that was earned by goals from Matty Stevens and Omar Bugiel.
Jackson said: “They made it difficult for us and it wasn’t pretty all the time. We had to dig deep and find a way to win, which has not always been the way this season.
“It wasn’t vintage but we were ruthless at moments and got the goals when we needed them to get us a really good win.
“We’ve got ourselves in a good position and we have to build if we want to finish as high as we can, but we need to try and keep ourselves where we are and see if we can go even further.”
Defender David Okagbue bundled home a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue promotion-chasing Walsall a 2-2 draw against lowly Bromley.
Liam Gordon put Walsall ahead but Michael Cheek’s ninth goal of the season and Danny Imray’s cracker turned the game on its head before Okagbue struck with virtually the last kick.
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