GREAT Escape goal hero Mark O’Brien has confirmed that he is in talks with Newport County AFC about a new contract but he won’t be rushed into a decision, writes Andrew Penman.

The Irish defender made himself a club legend as he volleyed in the winning goal in the 89th minute to beat Notts County and secure the Exiles’ place in League Two last Saturday.

O’Brien, who arrived at Rodney Parade on a short-term deal in January, is one of 12 members of the County squad out of contract this summer.

Manager Michael Flynn is keen to keep the 24-year-old for next season but no deal has yet been reached between the pair.

Talking to Newstalk.com’s Off The Ball podcast in his native Dublin, O’Brien said: “I’m in talks with Newport at the moment as things went so well there.

“The manager really liked what I can bring to the team and he’s looking to keep me on.

“It’s been such a whirlwind over the past few days since the season finished I said to him I’ll be in talks with him and everything will be alright but I just need to take a step back from everything and not just do it on impulse.

“I think I need to take a week or two to myself, be at home where I am now and see my family and friends and be able to enjoy the moment for what it was instead of just have a business head non-stop.

“He understood that, he knew that it was a long, tough six months in the situation we were in and he’s obviously letting me take that time to myself.

“But I’ll be in talks with them over the next week or two and we’ll see where it takes me from there.”

South Wales Argus:

O’Brien played in the Championship for Derby County as a 16-year-old under Nigel Clough and was highly rated by the current Burton Albion boss.

And, though he doesn’t have an agent, the centre-back admits he is keen to play at a higher level once again.

“Over the last year now I’ve kind of handled things myself,” he said.

“I know there’s a lot of people in football that think they need agents but I feel as if I can be mature enough to go in and speak to people, know what I want and be straight with managers.

“If I do well on the pitch things will follow from that.

“I’m still only 24 and I know there’s still plenty of time left for myself,” he added.

“If I get my head down and work really hard there will be opportunities, hopefully.

“And I feel that I’m still capable of doing what I’ve done years ago at Derby.

“I do still have in my head that I want to get back to where I was before and if not try to progress even higher.”