SAM Bowen has left Newport County AFC to join Wealdstone of the National League on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old headed to Rodney Parade from Cardiff City last summer on a two-year contract but failed to make an impact.

The midfielder ended with just 14 appearances in all competitions, and eight of them were in August.

Bowen featured in pre-season, scoring at Pontypridd, but was an unused substitute at Accrington Stanley on the opening day of League Two and remained on the bench in the Carabao Cup win against Charlton on Tuesday.

He has now opted for a fresh start and will go straight into the Wealdstone squad that travels to Eastleigh on Saturday.

County are well stocked in midfield with stalwart Scot Bennett, Bryn Morris, Aaron Wildig, Harry Charsley and James Waite scrapping for starts while right wing-back Shane McLoughlin can also move into the middle.