NEWPORT County AFC academy graduate Momodou Touray is back in Welsh Premier League action with Barry Town United tonight after a whirlwind week that saw him make his Wales under-21 debut on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old striker, who is on a season-long loan at Barry, is set to lock horns with Llanelli Town at Jenner Park this evening – just three days after representing his country at Rodney Parade.

Touray replaced County loan star Mark Harris in the 80th-minute on Tuesday and helped set up a second goal for Connor Evans as Rob Page’s team ended their Euro 2019 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Switzerland.

Now the Newport teenager is hoping he’s done enough to stay with the under-21s after his surprise promotion from the under-19s last weekend.

“I was in bed on Sunday, just relaxing after the game on Saturday [a 1-0 win over Carmarthen Town], and I got a text saying I was with the under-21s this week,” explained Touray.

“I was very shocked. I looked at it in disbelief and I had to tell my dad straight away.

“I didn’t think I was going to get called up this early because I feel like I’ve got more to improve.

“But I’m glad that the manager has trusted me [and given me some game-time after] calling me into the squad so late.

“It’s a dream come true,” he added. “As soon as I played for the under-19s my aim was to play for the under-21s and be a regular starter.

“Hopefully the manager can trust me after such a short time in the squad and I can get the call-up again next time and hopefully help them qualify for the next tournament.

“I’m glad I got the opportunity and I feel like I trained well and did well in the 15 minutes I got.

“Hopefully I showed enough for the manager to think I’ve got potential. There’s more to come from me.”

Touray was born in the Gambia but raised in Newport on Chepstow Road, just around the corner from Rodney Parade, and he’s delighted that his under-21s bow came on home turf.

“It made it feel like home,” he said. “I had friends and family who came to support me and that made me feel more confident and less nervous than if it had been away.

“I’m glad that I’ve got close family and friends around me.

“They’ve come and watched me in Barry as well and to away games in the Welsh Premier and I’m glad that they are so supportive because I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Touray continues to train with County during the week and he believes success with Barry, where he already has five goals to his name, will help him impress Exiles boss Michael Flynn.

“Mark Harris is a good player who I look up to,” said the striker.

“I always try to replicate what he’s doing in training because he’s starting regularly for Newport and that’s what I want to do when I come back from my loan.

“When I come into training on Mondays the manager always asks how I did and what I could have done better.

“As long as I’m fit and playing 90 minutes then I feel like I could come back and be in the first-team squad.

“I’m feeling confident and sharp and I feel like I’m improving as time goes on.”