Cameron Norman shining at Newport County after St Mirren interest

The Exiles suffered a blow in the summer of 2021 when influential right-back Liam Shephard rejected a fresh contract in favour of a move to Salford.

However, Norman became the first signing of Michael Flynn’s post-Wembley heartbreak recruitment drive and has been a firm fixture down the right since arriving from Walsall.

The 27-year-old was an ever-present in League Two last season – with just one of those outings as a sub – and is on course to repeat the feat as long as he avoids injury misfortune.

Of his 90 appearances for the club, 87 have been as a starter and the former Norwich City prospect believes Newport has been the perfect fit.

His form attracted the interest of Scottish Premiership side St Mirren last summer and the Exiles rejected a transfer bid but it’s possible that Norman will return for a third campaign in south Wales.

Newport County defender Cameron Norman (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I don't hide how much I have enjoyed it since I've come to Newport,” said the Vale of Glamorgan-based defender.

“I've played pretty much every game, had a really good spell and have loved it. The club has seen the best I've played in a while, consistently as well.

“It's been good and I know there will be talks to be had with the gaffer. We will hopefully get a couple of wins and then have that conversation.”

Norman has been a regular for Flynn, Wayne Hatswell, James Rowberry and now Graham Coughlan.

His bosses have wanted more goal involvements from him – although he is joint second in the Exiles’ scoring chart with three this season – but the right-back plays a vital role in County’s set piece threat.

Norman is the most fouled player in all four leagues with 101 in 36 appearances. Salford's Theo Vassell is second in the League Two chart on 68.

Last season the County man topped the pile on 110 in 46 appearances, 13 ahead of Forest Green's Ebou Adams.

The affable Norman has the uncanny knack of riling opposition fans and it’s fair to assume the wind-up merchant will cop a bit of Merseyside abuse at Tranmere this afternoon.

DOWNED: Cameron Norman is the most-fouled player in League Two (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

He said: “I promise it's not intentional! I am sure people aren't happy with the amount of fouls I seem to draw but I'd rather not be on the floor.

“If people want to start flying about and I am on the receiving end, then it's not ideal but if we get a free-kick in a dangerous position then it's job done.”

After pushing for promotion to the League One last season, County are looking to retain their Football League status after inching towards safety.

The Exiles are 18th in the table with a healthy buffer after being just two clear of the drop zone when Coughlan was given the job.

Things looked dicey in January when rivals were splashing the cash but County’s strong February eased nerves.

“It's hard not to look at the table. You finish a game and see where you were at,” admitted Norman.

“We never felt that we should have been down there but we know how easy it can be to find yourself wrapped up in it at the end of the season.

“One thing that the gaffer installed in us as soon as he came in was that we are a group that should not be down there in the table.

“The form we have had under him has proven that, now hopefully we can put ourselves in a better frame of mind leading into next season.”