NEWPORT County AFC have signed teenage defender Vashon Neufville on loan from West Ham United for the rest of the season

The 19-year-old left-back is available for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Leicester City and could come straight into the starting XI to replace the suspended Dan Butler.

Neufville was previously on Chelsea's books before joining West Ham in 2014. He signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday in 2016 after being offered a scholarship in East London.

He is yet to make an appearance for the Hammers’ first team but he featured in the Checkatrade Trophy for the under-21s last season and his performances for the under-23s have seen him linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester City.

The former England under-17 international returned from a serious knee injury in November and is keen to experience regular first team football.

County manager Michael Flynn said: “I’m delighted to have got Vashon in from West Ham United.

“He’s a fantastic player, comes with good pedigree and adds quality to what we’ve already got in the squad.

“He’s very quick, strong and he’s got a very good left-foot.

“I believe we’ve got the right player who will give us balance down the left-side which I think was needed for the remainder of the season.

“Thank you to the hard work of Terry Westley at West Ham.”

Neufville replaces Cameron Pring, who returned to his parent club Bristol City earlier this week and has now joined League Two rivals Cheltenham Town on loan.

“Ideally, I would have liked to have kept him,” explained Flynn.

“Bristol were fine but they felt he had a chance of getting more game-time at Cheltenham.

“He was very good when he was here, he worked hard and his attitude was good so we wish him all the best in his career.”