Cook mulls over Pompey starting return for Marc McNulty

Paul Cook is weighing up whether to return Marc McNulty to Pompey's starting line-up against Newport County.
Marc McNulty. Picture: Joe PeplerMarc McNulty. Picture: Joe Pepler
Marc McNulty. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Blues’ 10-goal top-scorer switched to the bench on Tuesday night for the trip to Accrington Stanley.

Instead Michael Smith came into the side to operate as the lone striker, representing his first start in five matches.

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Cook’s team went on to produce a stunning performance to inflict a 3-1 defeat on their promotion rivals.

Smith was not among the scorers, being replaced by McNulty in the 73rd minute.

Now Newport are tomorrow visiting Fratton Park, with the hosts eager to build on their recent improved run.

And loanee McNulty could come back into the side to face the Exiles.

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Cook said: ‘Smith was selected for Accrington to give us more physicality on the pitch.

‘McNulty is excellent and the way we like to play is having one, but we must have that complement of players and felt another way was right against Accrington.

‘McNulty is more about movement and intelligence, Michael is more about physicality to get us up the pitch.

‘We are just blessed, we have so many good players so we have those options.

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‘When McNulty came on he stretched the game and we were hopeful he could score a goal or two for us.

‘We’ll have a look at the selection again for Newport.’

McNulty has scored 10 times in 24 games since arriving on loan from Sheffield United.

Smith has a return of one goal in seven appearances.