NEWPORT County AFC academy graduate Momodou Touray is determined to impress manager Michael Flynn during pre-season as he aims to force his way into the first-team squad.

The 19-year-old striker enjoyed a successful 2018-2019 campaign on loan at Barry Town United, where he scored 14 goals and won the Welsh Premier League young player of the year award.

He's been rewarded with a new contract at Rodney Parade and he now wants to repay the faith shown in him by Exiles boss Flynn and prove he's worthy of a chance.

"The manager congratulated me for winning the young player of the year award and I'm grateful that he's showing an interest in me," said Touray, who turns 20 next month.

"He's given me another contract and I'm grateful for that and now is the time to repay him and hopefully help County get higher up the league again next year.

"Pre-season is going to be massive for me. Last year I didn't show enough for him to keep me in his squad.

"My aim this year is to try to get into the first-team squad and if I can that will be good for me and for the club.

"If not, then I'll just carry on working as I have in previous seasons."

South Wales Argus:

The Wales under-21 international has so far made just one appearance for County in a competitive game when he came off the bench at Carlisle United on the final day of the 2017-2018 season.

After helping Barry to seal a return to European football with a third-place finish in the WPL at the end of April, he was unable to feature for the Exiles in their late-season charge to the League Two play-off final.

"I thought when the season ended [at Barry], I might get a couple of games with Newport but that wasn't allowed under the rules of the loan," he explained.

"That was a bit frustrating but I went to Wembley to support the boys and they made me feel a part of it.

"I've been training with them so, even though I've been on loan, I've still felt part of the journey and I'm hoping to play more of a part next season."

Flynn is excited by Touray's potential but has previously questioned the youngster's stamina.

The teenager knows he still has to improve, but he believes his experience at Barry and the fact that he's been training with the County first team over the past nine months have helped him.

"I've not been used to games week in and week out over the last couple of years because I've played in college football and the standard is not the same as first-team football," said Touray.

"But at Barry I have been playing week in and week out, so that's helped my stamina and fitness a lot.

"I trained on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Newport and with Barry on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

"I was training all week and that helped me because I was a full-time player going up against part-timers. It's helped my fitness.

"Now I want to prove that I've listened to what the manager has said and that I want to develop and be a part of his team.

"Pre-season starts at the beginning of July and I'm very excited," he added.

"I've always got a smile on my face when I come in every day because I just love being involved in football.

"My aim now is just to carry on improving."