FORMER Newport County AFC star Regan Poole is convinced he made the right decision this summer in deciding to stay at Old Trafford and not go out on loan after a spell with Northampton Town.

Wales Under-21 international Poole joined Manchester United from the Exiles in September 2015 but to date has only made one brief substitute appearance for the first team.

After gaining Football League experience at Sixfields last season, Poole chose to focus on playing for United’s under-23s, dashing any hopes County fans might have had of a Rodney Parade return.

The 20-year-old says he will reassess his situation in the New Year, when the possibility of him taking in another loan stint somewhere could tempt the defender.

“I decided to stay and didn’t go out on loan, and I think I made the right decision because I’m happy and playing week in and week out,” he said.

“We’re up there in the league as well and looking to win it, so to be a part of that, I’d be happy.

“In under-23s football now there is a lot of playing out (from the back) and just trying to improve for the future and trying to follow in the first team’s footsteps.”

On the goal of taking that next step at club level, he added: “I played in the first team a couple of years ago and nothing has changed, that’s the aim for every young player, and if I can do that it will be great.

“I ended up staying this season, I just wanted to be around it a bit more, and I am quite happy with how things are going.

“It was a bit of a whirlwind in the loan window because I’d just come back (from Northampton) and was in with the 23s.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do, whether I was going to go on loan or stay. I made the decision to stay and hopefully get a chance with the first team.

“Maybe when it comes to January I’ll reassess my options and see what comes up.”

Poole will be back at Rodney Parade next Tuesday when the Wales Under-21s face Switzerland in their final Euro 2019 qualifier, four days after facing Romania in Cluj.

“It will be good to be back at Rodney Parade,” he added. “I’ve missed that place.

“Since Flynny (County boss Michael Flynn) has come he has done an amazing job, and I knew that was going to happen because I remember working with him and I knew exactly what he was going to do.

“I knew he was going to be the right man to do what he’s done. Hopefully they do get promoted and kick-on. It does look good for them, they’re doing so well.”