NEWPORT County AFC have given promising full-back Harrison Bright experience of life in the middle in pre-season to help in his development.

The 18-year-old from Blaenavon made his League Two debut in the final game of the season against Rochdale, coming on for the last half hour down the right.

Bright has caught the eye and will look to put the pressure on senior full-backs Cameron Norman and Aaron Lewis in the coming campaign.

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However, he has also been used as a right-sided central defender this summer as a learning tool.

"I just wanted him to play there to help develop his passing because he is under more pressure in that position," said manager James Rowberry.

"We know that he can get forward and be energetic down the right but we also want to develop in terms of the play that is in front of him as well."

South Wales Argus: County boss James Rowberry talks to his second half XI at Cardiff CityCounty boss James Rowberry talks to his second half XI at Cardiff City

County are well stocked for central defenders after Declan Drysdale joined from Coventry this summer to join specialists Mickey Demetriou, James Clarke, Priestley Farquharson, Joe Woodiwiss plus defender/midfielders Matty Dolan and Scot Bennett.

Farquharson is yet to feature in pre-season after knee surgery ended his 2021/22 campaign early but he will feature in the coming weeks, potentially with some action at Weston-super-Mare on Friday.

Norman is first choice down the right and also slotted in as a right-sided central defender impressively when County were stretched last season.

Aaron Lewis is able to play on both flanks with Adam Lewis spending the season on loan at Rodney Parade from Liverpool to be an option on the left, replacing Ryan Haynes.

County signed Will Evans from Cymru Premier club Bala primarily as a forward but he has shown his versatility in pre-season.

With the Exiles using two separate XIs against both Hungerford and Cardiff City to get minutes in the legs of all their squad, the 25-year-old from mid-Wales has slotted in at left wing-back.

"I feel he can offer us something different there," said Rowberry about the Wales C international.

County head to Weston-super-Mare on Friday evening before a trip to Torquay on Saturday afternoon.