LOAN star Tyreeq Bakinson is loving life at Newport County AFC and relishing the “big step-up” from under-23s football with Bristol City.

The central midfielder has completed all 10 League Two matches that he’s started this season, grabbing one goal and three assists in that time.

And in 13 appearances so far, Bakinson has been a big hit at Rodney Parade – claiming five man-of-the-match awards.

“It’s going really well at the moment,” he told bcfc.co.uk. “All you want as a footballer is to get game time and play men’s football, to get that exposure.

“You never know what you’re going to get on loan but it is working out well for me!”

The Robins youngster, who celebrates his 20th birthday today, scored his first goal in professional football in County’s 1-0 win at Oldham Athletic last month – a 69th-minute strike that was voted by the fans as the club’s goal of the month for September.

Bakinson was delighted to get off the mark and silence Exiles boss Michael Flynn, who had been critical of his finishing prowess before the trip to Boundary Park.

"My goal against Oldham Athletic felt really good,” he said. "I had been getting a bit of stick from the manager for my shooting so it was a bit of a relief to see that one go in the back of the net!"

Bakinson is playing with fellow Robins loanees Antoine Semenyo and Cameron Pring.

And the former Luton Town academy player, who moved to City in August 2017, is full of praise for the loan system.

When asked if he could feel himself improving as a footballer, Bakinson replied: "Yes, playing on loan has been very beneficial for me, but it’s good for every player who wants to be out there play games.

"I am playing men’s football regularly which is a great experience and it is a big step up from playing under-23s football."