DANNY Scopes believes the returning Mickey O’Donoghue is like a new signing for Concord Rangers.

O’Donoghue is back from a brief loan spell with Haringey Borough and is likely to go straight into the Beach Boys’ starting line-up against Weymouth tomorrow.

And, following Tom Clifford’s return to Southend United, Scopes is pleased to have the left-back in contention for the National League South contest.

“Mickey has been on loan at Haringey and played four games there,” said boss Scopes.

“He is available for selection and we knew, with Tom Clifford’s loan coming to an end, Mickey would be back with us now.

“We are grateful to Tom for what he did for us and, although we didn’t necessarily want to see him go, Mickey is contracted to us and now that he is fit we have to give him game-time.

“Having Mickey back is like a new signing.

“Although he made a few appearances for us at the start of the season, Mickey picked up a long-term injury and I know he is excited to be coming back.”

O’Donoghue joined Concord from Haringey in the summer and Scopes believes a brief return to his former club will have aided the full-back.

Scopes added: “We felt sending him out on loan was the right thing to do for Mickey.

“We thought going and testing himself in an environment he is familiar with was what he needed.

“He has got some minutes under his belt and he is raring to go.

“It’s great that Mickey is fully fit again.”