FORMER Newport County AFC midfielder Danny Rose believes Tom Owen-Evans could be the next Exiles rising star to attract the attention of bigger clubs.

Rose, who won the 2016-2017 League Two title with Portsmouth, says Owen-Evans was one of the best midfielders he playe dagainst last season.

And he is convinced the teenager could follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduates Regan Poole, who joined Manchester United, and Lee Evans and Aaron Collins, who both moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“Tom's just signed a new two-year contract and Newport don’t offer too many longer-term deals,” said Rose, who scored 34 goals in 154 games for County between 2008 and 2012.

“He’s physically a man already and certainly had a massive impact in the resurgence that Newport had towards the back end of the season.

“For someone so young to play such a pivotal role in that it can only be good for his development.

“And if he can start the new season how he finished I’m sure he could go on to bigger and better things.

“Newport have a good reputation for bringing through good youngsters and hopefully for him and the club they can make some money and he’ll have a good career for himself.”