TRISTAN Abrahams can’t wait to be part of a Newport County AFC team who are “always horrible” to go up against.

The 20-year-old forward got his first minutes in an Exiles shirt at Hungerford Town on Saturday after signing a two-year deal last week.

County’s final pre-season friendly ended in a 3-0 win for the League Two club, with former Norwich City man Abrahams featuring in the second half.

Abrahams knows competition for places will be tough next season, but the Londoner insists “all you can do is learn” from the likes of Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt.

League Two experience with Leyton Orient, Exeter City and Yeovil Town should stand Abrahams in good stead for the challenge ahead.

And he is familiar with Rodney Parade having made his Football League debut there while with Orient – the 4-0 rout of the Exiles in March 2017 was Graham Westley’s last game in charge.

“I’m enjoying it,” Abrahams said after the Hungerford victory. “I’ve only been here a couple of days, but it felt good to put the shirt on and get my first run out.

“It’s going to take time, but I enjoyed it, and there were glimpses of football that I do like to play. Once I get used to it and we gel, I think we will progress well.

“Being in League Two last season with Yeovil and Exeter, I was definitely checking the table and seeing Newport do well.

“It was always horrible to come up against Newport, so to be in that team now is a good feeling.

“I spent last year in the Football League. I enjoyed that and I can’t wait to get going again.

“It’s always going to be a positive that I’ve played here before and I know what it’s about.

“It’s not going to take me by surprise.

“Hopefully I can get some more games here this season and push on.

“Coming to Rodney Parade, the fans are great, the players are always up for it, and it’s never an easy game.

“It’s always a fast tempo and you never get a chance to breathe.

“For me, that’s the style of football I like to play, so it will definitely be a good feeling being part of the ‘horrible’ team, as some people might call us.”

On his preferred position, he added: “In my professional career so far I have played across the front – left wing, right wing or up front – but my preferred position would be number nine. I love playing there.

“It’s definitely going to be tough competing with (Amond and Matt), but when you’ve got two strikers ahead of you, all you can do is learn from them. And being so young, that’s not a bad thing at all.

“The manager (Michael Flynn) just wants me to enjoy myself, work hard and do what I can do.

“I was brought here for a reason, so I think it’s just time for me to show people what I can do.

“Promotion has definitely got to be the aim, that’s what everyone is thinking. Hopefully it can be automatic this season.”

And while all Exiles fans want to forget that drubbing by Orient, it will always be a special day for Abrahams.

“Rodney Parade is where I made my professional debut – a day I’ll never forget,” he said. “It wasn’t the best day for Newport, but it will always be a special place for me.

“Making your professional debut is everyone’s dream and my dream came true that day.”