Former Cardiff City defender Jazzi Barnum-Bobb has joined National League Torquay United on loan.

He has signed for the Gulls on loan until January 7 and is in their squad for Saturday’s home clash with Maidstone United.

Torquay manager Gary Owers said: “I’ve watched him over the years and he’ll give us good options in different positions.

“He can play anywhere down the right side and I want competition for places in all areas of the park and he will help us do that.”

Barnum-Bobb, 22, made two first team appearances for Cardiff, both in the League Cup after moving to Wales from Watford FC.

“I want to play games, I haven’t been playing so it’s a no-brainer to get started with Torquay,” said Barnum-Bobb.

“I’m a pacey and powerful player. I like to get up and down and can play anywhere down the right side, but right-back or wing-back suit me perfectly.

“I like to bring energy to the team, pace, and a bit of quality in the final third.

“The defensive work is important. You have to do both sides nowadays as a wing-back so I like to think that is what I can bring to the team.”

The Enfield-born player is a highly intelligent footballer, having achieved some of the highest grades at the highly-rated Harefield Academy in Uxbridge for four years with 11 A star passes, including maths and English, plus three B grades.

He was rated Academy subject champion in French.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer snapped up Barnum-Bobb after he was released by Watford at the age of 18. He moved on to Newport in 2016 and has made three appearances this season.

“He needs to play,” said County manager Michael Flynn. “He’s a great kid and he comes in with the right attitude every day, but he’s not featuring at the minute.

“He’s down the pecking order and it’s beneficial for him to go out and have a challenge before coming back in January.

“I want him to get some game-time and experience and free up some funds for January.”

The next match for Flynn’s Exiles is against Port Vale at Rodney Parade on Friday (7.45pm).

Joss Labadie, Mark O’Brien and Ben Tozer could all be missing because of injuries or illness.

“There is a bit of illness and a few people carrying niggles,” said Flynn.

“We’ve got people like David Pipe, who is 34 now, and three games in six days is not healthy.

“Robbie Willmott has just come back from injury, we had to rest Mark O’Brien because he came off injured in the previous match and Ben Tozer is away ill so there are a lot of players missing.

“I don’t think Joss Labadie will be ready and I don’t want to lose him for a long period.”