NEWPORT County AFC boss Michael Flynn has predicted a bright Wales future for midfielder Lee Evans if the former Exiles ace continues to impress at club level.

County boss Flynn, who played alongside Evans

before the latter moved from South Wales to Wolves in January 2013, is “buzzing” for his ex-teammate after the 23-year-old won a mai-den international cap last month.

Evans made his Wales debut as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Panama in Cardiff, a match that proved to be Chris Coleman’s last in charge of the national team.

A first competitive start for his country is

Evans’ next goal, and it’s an achievement that would also see County receive a payment from Championship leaders Wolves.

And while the Exiles may well be set to benefit thanks to the deal struck with the Molineux outfit nearly four years ago, Flynn is just pleased to see Evans, currently on loan at Wigan Athletic, prospering.

“I’m buzzing for him,” he said. “He’s a great lad and a good player and he deserves it. I’m sure he’ll get more caps.

“He’s got to take on board what he’s being told at his club but he’s obviously

doing very well at Wigan and long may it continue because I think he can kick on again.

“I think maybe central midfield, after Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, could be the weakest area of the Wales squad in terms of depth so there’s plenty to play for and fight for.

“I definitely think he could be a part of the squad for the next five years if he keeps his head down and impres-ses on and off the pitch.

“I know exactly how they like to do things in the Welsh camp – they like the togetherness and the team ethic. It’s not about any one individual and I think

Gareth Bale shows that off to a tee.

“He’s one of the best players in the world but he’s one of the hardest working in the Welsh squad and he can’t wait to pull on a Welsh shirt.

“That is the sort of surroundings they’ve created and why they’re doing so well, as well as the ability of the players in the squad.”

Commenting on the likelihood of getting that financial bonus, Flynn, whose men host Cambridge United in the FA Cup second round on Sunday (kick-off 2pm), added: “I’m sure it will come because they give youth a chance and they’re going to need to start him sooner rather than later because they might have to throw him in at the deep end,

maybe next year when the qualifiers start.”

Evans made 25 appearan-ces for County, scoring three goals, from March 2012 to January of the following year.

He played his 150th club game last Saturday as Wigan went to the top of League One with a 3-1 victory away to Rotherham United.

Meanwhile, former

Exiles forward Aaron Collins has joined National League Maidstone United on a month’s loan from Wolves.

Collins has failed to break into the Wolves first team since arriving there in January 2016 and had previous loan spells at Notts County and Tranmere Rovers.