TEENAGE defender Regan Poole has caught the eye of Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool but he remains at Newport County AFC and that’s the way Exiles boss Terry Butcher wants it to stay.

The 17-year-old, who has also been linked with Fulham, Cardiff City and Bristol City, looks set to feature for County in their opening League Two clash at Cambridge United tomorrow.

And former England captain Butcher, who won 77 caps at the heart of the Three Lions defence, wants the Wales under-17s starlet to sign a new contract at Rodney Parade and become a County hero.

“He’s in the squad and he’s done very well,” said Butcher ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s Abbey Stadium showdown.

“He’s still raw and young and learning but he’s a terrific prospect and he’s still here at the moment.

“As far as I’m concerned he’ll be here until I’m told otherwise.

“I hope he stays because he’s a good lad, he’s really dedicated and he wants to do well.

“He’s played a variety of positions and he really pushes himself to do well in training.

“He’s got great technique, he passes the ball well, gets stuck in, good pace – he’s got the lot.”

Does Butcher expect Poole to be at the club after the transfer deadline day at the end of the month?

“We’ll wait and see,” said the Exiles boss. “It’s still early days; nothing usually happens until the last week in August anyway.

“By then we’ll have played four or five games but all we can do is wait.

“I’m talking to his agent about a contract and we’re negotiating to see what we can do.

“Those talks haven’t come to a conclusion yet so we’ll wait and see.”