A Bristol City loanee has been rewarded for his performances ahead of a potential breakthrough season at his parent club.
Tyreeq Bakinson joined Newport County on an initial six-month loan last summer alongside fellow Robins Antoine Semenyo and Cameron Pring before the deal was extended in January.
The athletic 20-year-old centre-midfielder has excelled during his spell in South Wales, and his performances have been recognised by the Exiles fans.
Bakinson has landed the club's Young Player of The Year award for 2018/19, as voted by their supporters club.
The London-born youngster has racked up a valuable 40 appearances in all competitions this season, providing six assists and scoring once - a crucial matchwinner against Oldham Athletic, voted as goal of the month by fans for September.
The on-loan midfielder played a part in every game of Newport's run to the fifth round of the FA Cup as they were eventually knocked out by Manchester City.
He was arguably close to achieving immortality had he been able to convert a close-range header in the first half of that match, but he was denied by Ederson.
Newport are currently 11th in League Two, but the race for the play-offs is so tight that the Exiles still have an outside chance of making the top six should they win their two remaining games and other results go their way.
After collecting his award, Bakinson said: "Buzzing. Obviously I've been working hard all season for the team and the manager as well so it's just good that they recognise that too."
Speaking in October, the Bristol City youngster said: "All you want as a footballer is to get game time and play men’s football, to get that exposure.
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"I am playing regularly here which is a great experience but it is a big step up from playing Under-23s football.
"You never know what you’re going to get on loan but it is working out well for me.
"My goal against Oldham felt really good."
Signed from Luton Town following the 2016/17 campaign, Bakinson made his Robins’ debut and only first-team appearance to date in last season's 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.
The City youngster is highly rated among senior figures at Ashton Gate and City boss Lee Johnson spoke in glowing terms about Bakinson after his Palace debut.
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"He gets across the ground very, very well and he's a good size. I don't think he gave the ball away once. He was neat and tidy.
“The raw ingredients and the frame are there for him to be anything he wants."
