First team challenge for Newport County striker Momodou Touray

Touray showed his potential with a successful loan spell at Barry Town United last season, scoring 13 goals in 31 league appearances and being named the Welsh Premier League young player of the year.

The 19-year-old striker has been rewarded with an extension on his existing deal with County and has featured in all three of the first team’s pre-season friendlies so far.

And an injury to fellow forward Ade Azeez, which will keep him out for up to six months, means there is an opening in the squad.

But Exiles boss Michael Flynn is looking to bring in two new attacking players before the start of the season, at home to Mansfield Town on August 3.

And assistant manager Wayne Hatswell says it’s up to Touray to impress him and Flynn between now and then if he’s to be a regular fixture in the squad during the new campaign.

Speaking after Friday’s 1-1 draw at Bath City, Hatswell said of the Wales under-21 international: “I think he gave the ball away about nine times in the first half but he has got that little bit of magic and he can get out of trouble.

“He works hard. He predominantly plays with his back to goal so we ask him to help out and he was doing a lot of that.

“Mo is just coming in with the group and he’s done OK,” added Hatswell.

“He’s still only young but he’s been around us a long time, which is a good thing – he gets how we work and what we want.

“I want the kid to do well and I’m sure he will, but there’s always going to be competition for places.

“We want to improve again and the only way we do that is by getting five strikers in all vying for two or three slots.

“Then you’ve got to try to break into that. If not, then so be it.

“But we’ve told everyone they’re all on a clean slate and it’s down to them to show that they want to be involved in the team.”

County travel to Weston-super-Mare this evening (kick-off 7pm) before hosting Chelsea under-23s on Wednesday night and they are hoping to arrange another friendly for Next Saturday.

“We want to keep them all on a level playing field and avoid injuries,” said Hatswell.

“We’ll have to tweak it again on Monday and also be looking ahead to Wednesday as well.

“It’s about players getting minutes under their belt and preparing everyone for Mansfield.

“We’re trying to fit one more match in, hopefully on Saturday the 27th,” he added. “We don’t want to be going into that week not having a game.

“So we’re working hard behind the scenes to get one. It wouldn’t be ideal if we don’t have one but if we don’t, we’ll have to adapt – like you do at Newport County.”