THE growing success of the academy at Newport County is being highlighted once again by the emergence of youngster Ellis Redman into Justin Edinburgh’s first team squad, writes Ashley Jupp.

Redman, from the Bettws area of Newport, has been named on the bench for the previous League Two fixtures against Plymouth Argyle and last Saturday’s home clash with Southend United.

The 17-year-old is hoping to be on the bench once again for Saturday’s trip to Fleetwood Town, and is excited to be part of Edinburgh’s squad.

“I’m a Newport boy so it’s been a quality experience for me being on the bench with the first team,” he said.

“I trained with them twice last week before the Plymouth game and before the game against Southend and the first teamers all made me feel welcome.

“They were great and they’re a great bunch of lads and hopefully I’ll get to experience that again.”

Redman revealed that there were no promises for further first team exposure in the near future, but he remains determined nonetheless.

“Hopefully I’ll be on the bench for Fleetwood on Saturday but the manager hasn’t said anything to me,” he said.

“I know I’ve just got to keep my head down and keep working hard and trying to impress.”

Redman was speaking shortly after the youth team’s 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City Youth in the FAW Youth Cup at Spytty Park on Wednesday night. County played for over an hour with ten men following the dismissal of goal scorer Tre Marrett with County leading 1-0. Captained by Redman, County fought hard to stay ahead but were eventually edged out as the extra man appeared to make the difference.

“It was a disappointing result but, credit to the boys, they put a good shift in and sometimes the decisions don’t go your way.” Redman said.

“It was a fantastic goal from Tre but it was always going to be difficult against a good team with only ten men. We just had to keep battling and we did that.

“We had our chances as well” he added, “and we could have won it if we’d taken them.”