Kieron Evans Acknowledges Contact from Cardiff City Manager Omer Riza

Kieron Evans, a midfielder, expressed encouragement regarding communication from Cardiff City manager Omer Riza during his current loan period with Newport County. Evans commenced a season-long loan at Rodney Parade following the signing of a new one-year contract with the Bluebirds earlier in the summer. The 22-year-old has accumulated 10 League Two starts for County, and Riza, who is now Cardiff’s permanent manager through the conclusion of the season, has been monitoring his progress. Evans stated, “I’ve spoken to Omer, he’s been in contact a few times.” He added, “I had a good relationship with him anyway when I was at Cardiff. It’s nice to hear him asking me how I’m doing and stuff like that.” Evans further commented, “He’s a good bloke, keeping an eye on me to see how I’m doing.” Evans, who originated from Brithdir, spent last season on loan with National League club Gateshead, preceded by a period at Torquay United. He has recorded five league appearances for the Bluebirds. In August, he entered as a second-half substitute during Cardiff’s 2-0 Carabao Cup first-round victory against Bristol Rovers. He indicated that it is premature to forecast his playing location for the upcoming season. Evans remarked, “I signed a new deal at Cardiff at the start of the season. I’ve got to be respectful of Cardiff,” continuing, “All I’m focussing now is playing as many games as I can for Newport, and we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.” Typically a wide midfielder, Evans has been deployed in a more withdrawn position for County over the last two matches, due to the unavailability of injured co-captain Aaron Wildig. Evans stated, “The gaffer has put me as like a [number] six, which I’m happy to do for the team.” He elaborated, “I’ve not played there much before. I’ve played more like a number 10 if anything, but I can play deep. “I wish I could get forward a bit more, but I don’t really mind it.”