NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has backed academy star Momodou Touray to be a big hit during his loan spell at Barry Town United.

Touray joined the Welsh Premier League side on a season-long loan deal late last month and scored a hat-trick in his first appearance – a friendly win over Redditch United last Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who still trains with County four days a week, is set to make his competitive debut for Barry when they travel to take on champions The New Saints on Sunday afternoon.

“He's already enjoying playing regular games,” said Flynn.

“He scored a hat-trick on the weekend, which is good for him. Its good development for him to get used to the men's environment then train with us.

“They’ve got a tough one at TNS this weekend but he just needs to go there and express himself and see how he can come up against the best team in the Welsh Premier League.”

The Exiles boss knows all about playing at Jenner Park, having starred for Barry Town during the club’s heyday in two spells between 2000 and 2002.

Flynn scored against Porto in the Champions League and his form in the then-League of Wales helped him seal a move to Football League club Wigan Athletic.

The manager hopes that also aid the development of Touray, who spent two weeks on a ‘work experience’ loan at Premier League club Leicester City last season before making his County debut on the final day of the campaign at Carlisle United.

"I have an affection for Barry Town having played there but the coaches Gavin Chesterfield and Richie Williams were a big part of why I let Mo to go there,” he explained.

“They do things right and they'll try and improve Modou in the best way they can.

“The rest is down to him. He needs to be playing well. He needs to be working hard to stay in the team. I'm confident he'll get looked after down there.

“Barry is a good club,” he added. “I know Gavin and Richie really well. I know they'll look after him, I know they'll help him improve by giving him regular game time.

“Straight away they'll report to me about how he's done and what they can work on with him.

“They're two people I have a lot of time for. It wasn't just you're going to Barry Town that's the end of it. I thought it was best for his education.”