Defender Harrison Bright has admitted he’s had to ‘stay patient’ since his loan switch from Barry Town United in order to gain a regular taste of first-team football.
The academy graduate signed his first professional contract with the Exiles in May 2022 after making his league debut at the end of the 2021/22 campaign in a home league game against Rochdale.
Bright was loaned out to Cymru Premier side Barry Town United in the early stages of this season’s campaign and re-joined Graham Coughlan’s side in January after featuring 18 times for the Linnets and scoring one goal.
Since his switch back to Rodney Parade, the defender has featured three times for County, most notably starting in a defensive back three in the Exiles’ narrow defeat to Barrow in Cumbria last weekend.
And the former Wales youth-team player is hoping to chalk up further appearnces with the club between now and the end of the season.
“It’s obviously nice to get my first start of the season,” said Bright reflecting on his most recent first-team opportunity.
“I made my debut two season ago against Rochdale and then went on two loans since then. After being back and featuring against Harrogate and Mansfield, it was good to finally get the first start against Barrow.
“I was a bit nervous to start with on Saturday but as soon as you get to the stadium your nerves disappear. It’s a normal game of football really and that’s how you’ve got to approach it .
“I’ve had to stay patient since coming back in January. The first month was tough with there not being a lot of game time, the same in February as well, but since March luckily games have been coming for me.
“The Barry loan move was really good for me. It was enjoyable playing week in, week out. That’s what you want as a footballer and playing at good level like in the Cymru Premier was an invaluable experience.”
He added: “You’re always learning as a young player and the manager is always speaking and encouraging you.
“You’ve got experienced players like Ryan Delaney speaking to you before games, Clarke and Benno too. They alll speak to you and offer encouragement.
“Joe [Dunne] was speaking to me after the Barrow match giving me pointers of what I done well and what I could improve on. Everyone is good to me with that type of stuff and as a young player that’s something that you need.
“It’s nothing better than playing week in, week out and learning off the experience lads is really important.”
