NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn insists winger Lamar Reynolds will get his chance to shine in League Two.

It’s been a month since the 22-year-old’s man-of-the-match performance against Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy, when he scored his first County goal, and Reynolds still has only one league start under his belt.

But Flynn remains a big fan of the former Brentwood Town man.

“Lamar probably had his best week of training last week and he’s not forgotten, not by a long shot,” said the Exiles boss.

“He came from a low level and he started off like a steam train [in pre-season].

“Then it started to kick in – the rigours of full-time training – and we’ve just got to be careful to blood him the right way and make sure he’s ready for the physical part of League Two.

“He’s certainly adapting to that a little bit better now than he had been.

“As soon as I feel the time is right he’ll be on.”

Flynn added: “He’s a talent and just because he hasn’t played, don’t think that I don’t rate him because I do rate him.

“It’s just got to be the right time. We don’t want to put him in and have his confidence shattered and go back six weeks.

“He seems to be in a good place at the minute.

“But, on the flip side, you’ve got to make sure you don’t keep him back too long because his confidence could go that way as well.

“It’s a juggling act and I speak to Wayne [Hatswell] and Lennie [Lawrence] and about it and I speak to Lamar a lot.

“He’s in a good place at the moment and he’s just one who is pushing for a place.

“We’ve got options and anybody who’s left out I know they will take it the right way and try to prove to me that they deserve to start.

“Anybody who doesn’t do that knows that they’re not going to get in my team by sulking and I haven’t had that yet.”

South Wales Argus:

Meanwhile, Flynn says he’s happy with the new Rodney Parade pitch as the relentless December fixture list rumbles on.

The ground, which County share with the Dragons and Newport RFC, hosts 10 games this month.

The Exiles play at home three times in December, the Dragons five times and Newport RFC twice but Flynn is pleased with how the surface is holding up so far.

“I’m not going to criticise the pitch after what we had to put up with last season,” he said.

“I think it’s in tremendous condition and the ground staff are working hard on it.

“All our warm-ups and the running after games are all tailored to looking after the pitch.

“December is a busy month and usually it’s the worst weather as well as you go from a cold snap to pouring rain and maybe even snow.

“I just hope we’ve invested in some proper covers.”

On the issue of players slipping over during games, Flynn said: “It does seem to be us slipping more than the opposition but, trust me, I do check their boots before they go out and they are all wearing the right equipment.

“They’re good pros, they don’t leave anything to chance. It’s just one of those things.

“It’s a little bit greasier than normal pitches but also it’s great for passing on and they’ve been enjoying that.”