Young winger aims for spot in line-up after bright display in Newport draw

Dagenham & Redbridge starlet Jodi Jones was pleased with the impact he made from the bench against Newport County but was disappointed it did not help the hosts win.

With the game goalless, the youngster was introduced as a 70th-minute replacement for Zavon Hines and began to torment a tiring Exiles defence with his pace and trickery.

Jones provided several devilishly delightful balls into the box in the closing minutes of the game as Daggers looked for a winner, but the crosses did not get the finishes they deserved.

And while the 18-year-old was gutted the team could not get their first home win of the season, he hopes he has done enough to convince manager Wayne Burnett to reinstall him in the starting XI.

“I put in some good crosses and I had one shot, probably not the best of shots, but overall I was happy with my contribution,” said Jones.

“I put a lot of balls in for Jamie Cureton and sadly he couldn’t finish but I’m sure he will in the next game.”

Saturday’s call from the bench was the latest in a run of cameo appearances for Jones, who had started four of the club’s first five league games this season.

And the attacker knows the only way to earn to recall to the starting line-up is to showcase his talents whenever he is given the opportunity.

“When I’ve been on the bench, I’m waiting to come on and when I do, I do my best, work twice as hard and do everything I can so I can get my starting place back again.”

Despite his young age, Jones’ ability has seen the youngster highlighted as one of the club’s key players in the early part of the season.

And Jones knows there is still more to come as he continues to pick the brains of some of his more experienced team mates.

“I’m still young and I’ve got a lot to learn in terms of movement, when to pass and when not to pass. I learn from the likes of Jamie and Zavon Hines in training day in, day out.”