NEWPORT County AFC’s games against Grimsby and Accrington Stanley were ones that most are keen to forget but ‘brave’ Jac Norris will always fondly remember the defeats.

The teenage midfielder, who came through Cwmbran Celtic’s youth set-up, was given a first-team debut in the closing stages of the League Two defeat at Blundell Park.

Three days later the youngster was given another opportunity when making his Rodney Parade bow in the 3-1 loss to Stanley.

Manager Graham Coughlan has made it clear that there will be no freebies at senior level for the Exiles’ youngsters despite the club’s injury problems but Norris has earned a crack in the run-in.

He will hope to feature in the remaining fixtures against Tranmere, Salford and Bradford while teenage defender and fellow first-year scholar Nelson Sanca, who came through at Canton FC in Cardiff and has now been an unused substitute on 16 occasions, will hope to get an elusive first outing.

“Jac is brave – he will accept the ball and try to play – and bravery has walked out of the door for us on the last four or five games,” said Coughlan, whose side aim to end a five-game losing streak against Tranmere in Newport on Saturday.

“He has a long, long way to go in his career but I have watched him on many, many occasions and we will work on the shape of his game, the discipline and the positioning.

“The same goes for Nelson on the bench and this is great experience for the two of them.”

South Wales Argus: CHANCE: Jac Norris and Nelson Sanca have been brought into the first teamCHANCE: Jac Norris and Nelson Sanca have been brought into the first team (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

County are stretched by a long list of absentees and that has given Harrison Bright, a 20-year-old right-back from Blaenavon, a chance as a starter.

Kiban Rai’s opportunities have been more limited due to a healthy front line while defender Josh Seberry is close to a return.

He arrived from Ireland last summer but saw his impressive progress stalled by a broken leg at Notts County.

“They are five really good projects for us but asking those lads to go out on the pitch, perform and dig deep is a massive ask. We need to drip feed them,” said Coughlan."