Newport style a perfect fit for Cardiff talent Kieron Evans

The 22-year-old from Brithdir in the Rhymney Valley extended his Bluebirds contract this summer and then, after coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup win against Bristol Rovers, signed a deal to spend the season on loan in League Two with Newport County AFC.

It’s another step towards the aim of becoming a Cardiff regular after previous spells with Linfield, Torquay and Gateshead, who he helped to FA Trophy glory at Wembley last season.

Evans made his County debut with a very brief cameo in the 3-1 win against Accrington, played quarter of an hour when helping secure the spoils in the 1-0 success in Morecambe and then impressed on his first start against Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

The attacking midfielder played the full 90 minutes and put the Exiles in front with a well-taken goal before a red card for goalkeeper Jacob Carney on the stroke of half-time turned the game with the visitors winning 2-1.

DELIGHT: County celebrate Kieron Evans' goal against Cheltenham (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Nonetheless, there were plenty of positives from the clash at Rodney Parade with Evans and fellow loanees Noah Mawene and Jamie Miley catching the eye in an encouraging first half.

The promising loan trio add to the attacking options for a County club who made big changes over the summer.

Owner Huw Jenkins has adopted a similar approach to the one that brought great success at Swansea, with head coach Nelson Jardim brought in to develop a possession-based style and work with a squad of largely up-and-coming players.

That should play to Evans’ strengths with his Cardiff coaches watching closely.

“I just want to gain more experience,” said Evans, who has played in the Championship with the Bluebirds. “It’s my first time in League Two and after two seasons in the National League I was ready to take the next step.

“I am excited to be pushing myself at this level and the gaffer and Daf [Williams, assistant head coach] have been brilliant since I have come in.

“The way that we play is exactly what I like to do with the ball on the floor – I am not the tallest! – so should suit me perfectly.

“At Morecambe I came on for 15 to 20 minutes and the gaffer said ‘just go and express yourself, drive with the ball’, so that’s what I went out and did.

“I feel that you get the best out of me through the middle; I played as a left-sided ‘8’ against Cheltenham and I can play ‘10’ as well.

“All I can do is take my chances when they come. I feel that I have had a good start, but it’s only a start and I need to keep pushing on to help the team as much as I can. The main aim this season is to get more goals and assists.”

LOANEE: Kieron Evans will spend the season at Newport County (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Evans will hope to be involved on Saturday afternoon when the Exiles attempt to make it four League Two wins on the spin against a Port Vale side tipped to be contenders at the top.

Jardim rang the changes for the EFL Trophy and is likely to bring back midfielders Bryn Morris, Cameron Antwi and captain Aaron Wildig along with striker Courtney Baker-Richardson.

The head coach will be forced into at least one change from Morecambe because Matt Baker is on international duty with Wales Under-21s.

That could prompt either a return to a flat back four or an opportunity for Cameron Evans or Nelson Sanca in a central trio alongside Kyle Jameson and Ciaran Brennan.

Vale started their bid to bounce back from relegation strongly with a win at Salford but a goalless home draw against Tranmere has been followed by a 4-0 drubbing in Barrow and 3-2 loss against much-fancied Doncaster.

League Two fixtures: Barrow v Swindon, Bradford v Carlisle, Cheltenham v Harrogate, Chesterfield v Grimsby, Colchester v Bromley, Crewe v Morecambe, Doncaster v Gillingham, Fleetwood v Salford, MK Dons v Walsall, Newport County v Port Vale, Notts County v Accrington, Tranmere v Wimbledon.