Newport aim to hold on to Huddersfield's Hudlin

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has been impressed with Hudlin's quality since signing on loan from Huddersfield

Newport County are in talks with Huddersfield Town over keeping giant striker Kyle Hudlin at the League Two club.

And they are now waiting for the green-light from the Terriers to extend the 24-year-old's loan deal until the end of the season.

Hudlin has scored four times in 17 appearances since signing a four-month loan deal on deadline day in August.

With his deal due to expire after the next three games, the 6ft 9in frontman has stated he would be open to staying in south Wales.

Now Newport boss Nelson Jardim has confirmed there has been dialogue with the League One side over an extension.

"There are talks ongoing but we have shown from our end he is someone we are happy with, and he's happy being here," said Jardim.

"But we still have a third party in Huddersfield. We are always open to talk and discuss and try to find the best thing for everyone."

Hudlin got his break in the EFL when he signed for Huddersfield in 2022 from Solihull Moors.

He has a year remaining on his deal at the John Smith's Stadium but has spent time on loan at Burton and Wimbledon, joining Newport on the back of a long-term shoulder injury suffered by County striker Hamzad Kargbo on the opening day of the season.

Kargbo, a summer recruit from QPR, is now fit again after surgery but Jardim remains keen to hold onto Hudlin.

"We had to express from our end that we wanted to keep him but everything has been done it's just working through the process," added the Portuguese coach.

The loan deal is set to conclude on 2 January, the day of County's home clash with Wimbledon.

Jardim should have Courtney Baker-Richardson fit again by then, the 29-year-old a week away from returning from a calf problem.

Jardim says he has no further injury issues other than long-term absentees as the Exiles prepare to play at home for the first time in more than a month when they take on MK Dons.

Going into the game with three successive away draws since a goalless stalemate with Grimsby at Rodney Parade on 16 November, Jardim said: "Points on the road are very good, but you want to back that up with a win at home, and that's what we want to do.

"It will be very, very tough, but I am sure with our preparation with support from everyone and energy they bring we can have a good Christmas."