NEWPORT teen Chris Gunter admits he was so exhilarated after making his top-flight bow that he couldn't sleep!

The 18-year old Newport defender played at left back for Spurs in their 1-0 FA Cup third round replay at Reading on Tuesday evening.

Gunter enjoyed a fine debut, winning approval from the Spurs faithful with a focused and disciplined display.

The £1.5 million acquisition from Cardiff City can now look forward to a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in round four.

However, Gunter admits the buzz of making his debut led to a sleepless night.

He explained: "I tend to struggle with sleep after night games - especially when I have just made my debut for Tottenham!"

"I didn't get too much, but I am just pleased with how it all went," added Gunter, who did not really know whether to expect a first team start so soon after his arrival.

"I wasn't really sure, but there are a lot of games and there was always the possibility that the boss (Juande Ramos) might rotate the squad a little bit.

"I am happy he had the faith in me and it is always good to get your debut out of the way. Hopefully I can push on now.

"As a defender, if you are involved in a back four or five that helps to keep a clean sheet then you are mostly going to go on and win the game - especially with our forward line.

"It is great to go into a team that managed to do just that.

"I think I did quite well, there are things I obviously need to improve on, but after making my debut in a big FA Cup game I am quite pleased with how I did."

Gunter was delighted that his family made the trip up the M4 to see him play, even though they didn't know he was set to start.

"That is the thing, we found out the team quite late, but they came along and were really proud. It is nice that they were there for my debut."

Father Gerald revealed his pride at his son getting his first start so quickly.

"He's not that familiar with left back, we thought he did really well and the fans seemed to really take to him," he said.

County assistant boss Scott Young, who worked with Gunter at the Bluebirds academy, was another proud observer.

"I heard from Beads (Newport County boss Peter Beadle, a Spurs supporter) that he was playing and I followed the game," he said.

"Everyone I have spoken too said he did really well, it's great he's got his first start out of the way so quickly and hopefully now he can kick on."