HE’S set to play in Euro 2016 this summer and tipped to be the ‘next David Healy’ for Northern Ireland but Conor Washington has revealed that he nearly gave up on football after his first season at Newport County AFC.

Washington, who was working part-time as a postman and playing in the United Counties League with St Ives Town before joining County in 2012, is set to make his Northern Ireland debut against Wales in Cardiff on Thursday.

The striker eventually caught the eye with the Exiles in League Two, earning a move to Peterborough United in January 2014 and on to Queens Park Rangers earlier this year.

But the 23-year-old has revealed that he nearly walked away from Rodney Parade after missing out on selection for the Exiles’ 2013 Conference play-off final victory over Wrexham.

Justin Edinburgh did not name Washington in the squad for Wembley and it was his mum Donna who persuaded him to stick it out in South Wales – his first spell living away from home.

“It was a killer for me,” he told The Times. “After one season I called my mum and said I’m not even sure I want to carry on.

“I wasn’t really playing, finding training tough. She was great.

“I said I would see out the final year of my contract and go out with a bang.

“And then I started flying in League Two. That was the switch.”

Washington made his Football League debut against Accrington Stanley in August 2013 and scored five goals before being snapped up by Peterborough.

And after his big money move to QPR, which netted County a sizeable fee thanks to a sell-on clause, he’s ready to take to the international stage.

“Everyone is absolutely buzzing and I can’t wait,” Washington said. “It’s been a short, crazy journey, an absolute whirlwind.”

His new Northern Ireland team-mates can expect his initiation song to be Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer.

“At Newport I was shaking and sweating and just about got the words out,” he said. “At Peterborough I threw in some air guitar. At QPR I hit some good notes.”

New County boss Warren Feeney, who scored five goals in 46 appearances for Northern Ireland, says Washington could even top the charts for his adopted nation.

The Exiles boss says the youngster could match the achievements of Northern Ireland’s record goal scorer Healy.

“It’s a good choice he’s made,” Feeney told the Argus. “He’s done brilliantly over the last few years.

“Conor’s got a lot of ability and I think he can be the new David Healy for Northern Ireland.”

Healy scored 36 goals for his country and has now succeeded Feeney as Linfield manager.