Newport County defender Harrison Bright joins Barry on loan

The 19-year-old from Blaenavon has made one appearance in 2023/24, a brief outing in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic.

That has led to Bright, who had a spell with Pontypridd United in the second half of last season, heading to Barry to get regular game time.

The right-back and County agreed to trigger a one-year contract extension in the summer with manager Graham Coughlan saying he was excited by the academy graduate’s potential.

LOAN: Harrison Bright has left County for a spell in Barry (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“Harrison is a young lad who has come through the system,” said the boss in June. “While he has a long way to go, he’s showing real promise.

“He’s a proper defender and I enjoy working with him. I’ve taken a real shine to him and he’s one I have very high hopes for.”

Coughlan and assistant Joe Dunne will watch the action from Jenner Park closely as Bright features in Wales’ top tier.

The defender made his League Two debut under James Rowberry off the bench against Rochdale in the final game of 2021/22.

Bright made another outing under Coughlan with a brief Carabao Cup cameo at Leicester City, then of the Premier League, last October then featured at MK Dons in the last 32 of the EFL Trophy before heading to Ponty.

Summer signing Shane McLoughlin is County’s first-choice right-back, Irish novice Josh Seberry, a central defender by trade, has featured there against Charlton and Brentford while Southampton prospect Lewis Payne is with the club on a season-long loan.

Bright faced his old club Ponty in pre-season and could make his Barry bow against his former teammates in Treforest on Saturday.