SWANSEA City defender Scott Tancock has revealed that he was desperate to join Newport County AFC on loan last year and he’d be happy to stay for the remainder of this season.

The 20-year-old looks set to keep his place in the County back line for today’s League Two clash at Oxford United.

And before the clash at the Kassam Stadium he admitted that he had pestered Wales under-21s teammate and ex-County star Lee Evans to broker a move to Rodney Parade 12 months ago.

“I spoke to Lee last year and told him to speak to the manager and try to get me here last year but it didn’t quite happen,” said Tancock.

“Lee told me a lot of good things about Newport and I know Andrew Hughes as well.

“I know the club is on the up and has been for a number of years now so when my agent called me to say there was a chance of coming here last week I told him to get it done as quickly as possible.

“It’s ideal for me because it is only an hour up the road and it’s a good club.

“And as long as I’m playing and enjoying it I’d love to stay longer.

“I’d love to have a whole season of league football under my belt and if I could play 20 or 25 games I’d take that.”

Tancock finally arrived at the club on a one-month loan last Friday and was thrown straight into the back three alongside experienced pair Darren Jones and Ismail Yakubu.

The trio overcame the sizable threat of Adebayo Akinfenwa as County ran out 4-1 winners and Tancock is hopeful of retaining his place today, despite the return to fitness of Kevin Feely.

“Playing next to Jonesy and Yak helped a lot because they’ve got such great experience in the Football League,” said the Swans youngster.

“It’s great to learn from players like them and it’s only going to help me in my career.

“It helps that I’ve trained with the boys this week and hopefully I can keep my place,” he added.

“I’m here to play because I want that experience now and I’m thankful to the gaffer here for giving me that.

“I’m 20 years of age now and I’ve been playing reserves and under-21 football since I was 16 so this is the next step for me.

“I’m into the last year of my contract at Swansea as well so it’s come at the ideal time for me.

“Swansea is home for me and ideally I’d want to stay there but they’re not going to look at me playing in the first team if I don’t have any experience.”