The academy graduate started in place of the injured Jake Doyle Hayes and impressed

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor praised the impact made by Harry Kite who came in for his first EFL start since New Year’s Day 2024.

Kite left the Grecians at the end of start season and after moves to Yeovil Town and Truro City in the National League didn't quite work for the midfielder, he was brought back to St James Park this summer in what seemed to be a surprise move at the time.

But on what was his first league start of the season in place of the injured Jake Doyle Hayes, Kite 'rolled back the years' and impressed with a composed performance in the middle of the park, with Taylor backing him to “start his second career”.

“He blocked up that space, he was quick to react," he said of the 26-year-old. "He’s got an explosion and dynamic movement in him over a five-to-10-yard radius.

“He’s got to do it more and understand certain moments in the game, but that’s such a physical asset in the middle of the park and certainly took a bit of pressure off Chaz today.

“We know what a big miss Doyler is. He’s a massive loss for this football team, and that probably played its part in our rhythm in the first half.

“Finding ways for us to be competitive and still as solid as we have been in the middle of the park was a delight for Kite.

“It was a big moment for him and a big moment for his family, because he’s been out of the game for a couple of years. But now it’s a challenge from me to him that this has to be the start. He’s got to get fitter, stronger, faster and better so I can keep on trusting him.”

Taylor also provided a brief update on Doyle-Hayes’ injury, admitting the midfielder is unlikely to feature over the next “couple of weeks”.

“I don’t imagine he’ll be on the pitch for the next couple of weeks, but we’ll assess him on a daily basis," he added.

“Classy player, classy player. I think anyone who saw the first half on Tuesday will know that was the best he’s moved and the best he’s played. Unfortunately, he gets injured, but it’s a squad game, it always will be.”