FORMER Newport County AFC star Regan Poole is convinced that Michael Flynn can get the Exiles climbing the League Two table next season.

Poole left Rodney Parade for Premier League giants Manchester United in 2015 but he’s kept a close eye on County’s progress since then.

The 18-year-old was delighted to see Flynn guide the Exiles to a remarkable seven wins in 12 games to pull off the Great Escape earlier this month.

And he is backing Flynn – the man who coached him in the County academy – to enjoy more success next season.

“I was following it closely. I’ve followed them ever since I left,” said Poole, who is preparing to play for Wales under-20s in the prestigious Toulon Tournament this week.

“It was not very nice to see them at the bottom of the league but fair play to Mike Flynn.

“He coached me as a youngster and there’s no one that deserves it more than him.

“He’s Newport County through and through. He loves the fans and loves the club and there couldn’t have been anyone better to do it.

“Flynny’s the right man to take them forward,” he added.

“I texted him to say congratulations. I still keep in touch with him – he wants the odd shirt now and again!

“He’s a nice guy and hopefully they do a little bit better next season.

“I think they will because he can bring his own players in and go from there.”

Poole’s former teammates Tom Owen-Evans and Kieran Parselle have enjoyed contrasting fortunes in the past few weeks with the former signing a new two-year deal and the latter being released by Flynn.

“Tom’s doing very well,” said Poole. “They didn’t do the best this season but he had a good season himself and hopefully he cements his place in the starting XI every week next year.

“Kieran will get another club, he won’t struggle with that.

“He was quite a long time at Newport and he’ll get a new club and progress in his career.”

Poole has been a regular for the United under-23 side in 2016-2017 but he does miss the time when he was playing first team football with County aged just 16.

“As it was going on at the time you don’t really think about it,” he recalled.

“It was all a bit of a whirlwind but looking back on it now I’m happy and proud of how well we were doing in the league with me part of it.

“It was such an unbelievable achievement for me and I miss it, I wish I could go back and relive it all again but you can’t.

“But to see what they did a few weeks ago made me smile again.”

The initial transfer fee paid by United, reported to be £400,000, played a big part in helping the Newport County AFC Supporters’ Trust complete their takeover of the club.

And Poole is proud of his part in the Exiles’ history.

“To know that I’m still kind of a part of the club makes me happy and proud because I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” he said.

“They’re an unbelievable club and the fans and the staff are unbelievable.

“So for me to see them get out of that and to still be a little bit of a part of that and to help them makes me happy and proud.”