NEWPORT County AFC manager James Rowberry admitted that new signing Will Evans was sceptical when he suggested playing him at left wing back.

From the wing, Evans netted 11 goals in 24 league games for Bala Town last season, having also hit double figures the season before.

His impressive form saw him earn a call-up to the Wales C side, where he scored a brace against England C in a 4-0 win.

When Evans became County’s second signing of the summer, Rowberry said: “Will gives us another dimension within our attacking department.”

South Wales Argus: Will Evans scoring against Hungerford Town. Picture: Newport County AFC.Will Evans scoring against Hungerford Town. Picture: Newport County AFC.

And, as would have been expected, Evans has been deployed mostly in a more attacking role in pre-season, scoring in both friendlies against Undy and Hungerford.

Given this, it was a surprise to see the 25-year-old lining up at left wing back in County’s final pre-season friendly against Forest Green.

Rowberry admitted that his new signing was initially hesitant about playing a more defensive role.

“When I first met Will I said about playing left wing back and he looked at me like I was alien,” he said.

“But once he fully understood the role and how we want to play, it’s another position for him – he can play left wing back, he can play left of a front three, he can play up front in a front two.

“Ultimately it’s to help him, but it helps the team too.”

The Exiles played a more counter-attacking style at The New Lawn.

The first half saw Evans getting dragged across the pitch on a few occasions when the ball was down the right, and Forest Green right back Corey O’Keeffe managed to find himself in space on a couple of occasions – one of which ended up with a superb save from Joe Day to keep the scores level.

But the Forest Green right side had very little joy in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, when Evans was withdrawn for Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis.

And it was noticeable how high up Evans, and Cameron Norman on the right flank, pushed when County recovered the ball – often level with strikers Omar Bogle and Offrandre Zanzala providing an option either for a switch of the play, or as a runner if the ball was played into the frontmen.

“I was pleased with it,” said Rowberry, when asked about Evans’ performance in his new role. “We’ve got really good competition, I’ve got a headache this week.

“Even for the squad selection, I’ve got a bit of thinking to do because I was really pleased with some of the lads’ application.”