GRAHAM Westley has heaped praise on in-form Mark Randall and says he is starting to put in performances that County fans deserve, writes Ryan Robinson.

Speaking after Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, Newport County AFC boss Westley said he felt Randall was the shining light in the losing team.

“I think there are some players who are really stepping up to the plate, showing their qualities and showing that they’re prepared to put in winning performances in a side that is losing," he said.

"I use Randall again as an example. He got the goal but it wasn’t just the goal, it was his all-round game.”

Randall added to his goal in the EFL Cup with the opener at Adams Park and Westley wants to see the 27-year-old keep his high level of performance.

“He’s stepping on and showing the standards, and once we get one or two others in around him with the same sort of standards and qualities then the whole team will benefit and step on," he added.

In fact, Westley believes Randall’s display showed glimpses of why he found himself at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger not so long ago.

“If he’d have played with that intensity throughout his career then, trust me, he’d still be playing in the Premier League because he can do things with a football that are a joy to watch," Westley said.

Randall is expected to keep his place in the starting XI against Stevenage this weekend.