Manchester United defender Regan Poole could return to Newport County on loan

The Daily Mail is reporting that the 20-year-old centre-back, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, will return to County on loan until the end of the season.

The Argus understands that Exiles boss Michael Flynn, who worked with Poole in the youth team back in 2014, is keen on bringing his protégé back to Rodney Parade but nothing is signed and sealed yet.

Poole became County’s youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 16 years and 94 days at Shrewsbury Town in September 2014 (below).

He moved to United, after interest from Liverpool, for an initial £100,000 in 2015 and has been capped 15 times by Wales at under-21 level.

Poole made one appearance for United's first-team, coming off the bench against Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League in 2016.

He played 22 games on loan at Northampton Town last season but was powerless to stop them being relegated from League One.

Poole decided against a loan move last summer but he spoke about his old team ahead of playing for Wales under-21s at Rodney Parade in October last year.

“I’ve missed Rodney Parade," he said. 

“Since Flynny has come he has done an amazing job. I knew that was going to happen because I remember working with him and I knew exactly what he was going to do.

“I knew he was going to be the right man to do what he’s done. Hopefully they do get promoted and kick-on.”

Flynn was asked about Poole at this morning's press conference ahead of tomorrow's League Two clash with Exeter City.

"There is interest there," said the manager.

"But nothing has been done yet. We will wait and see.

"I brought Regan through, I was running the academy then and I knew he was going to be a very, very good player."

Flynn also confirmed that he did try to bring Newport's James Collins (above) back to his hometown club.

"I spoke to James a couple of times," he said. "I tried to get him until January, we needed a leader at the back, some presence, someone to organise, he would have been perfect.

"But it was definitely a cheeky long shot, because he can still play and now he is still playing, in the Championship, he should be at that level at least.

"If you don't ask the questions, you will never know. And it wasn't a no, it was a wait and see because he got a chance in the Championship.

"What he did in tearing up his contract with Aston Villa shows you why he's the sort of player you want in the dressing room and that is why Ipswich have gone and got him."