NEWTOWN have bolstered with the addition of loan signing George Hughes from English League One side Shrewsbury Town.

The 19 year old midfielder arrives at Latham Park on a season long loan deal and made his debut in Friday night’s 4-0 defeat at TNS.

Manager Chris Hughes backed the teenager to make an impact.

“George is a great signing,” said Hughes. “ He is aggressive and good on the ball.

“We only received clearance for him to play on Friday an hour before kick-off so he did really well on hid debut against the league champions.

“George can only benefit from the experience and knows the level he must aspire to attain in this league.

“He has had a few training sessions with us and knows the lads already so hopefully he benefits from his time with the club between now and the end of the season.”

Hughes has past loan experience with English non league sides Colwyn Bay and Clitheroe Town but his switch to Newtown represents a first taste of the Welsh Premier for the former Welshpool High School student.

Hughes also added to a strong Powys contingent at Latham Park ahead of the visit of Cefn Druids on Friday.

“We want to end the first half of the season strongly with three points against Druids,” said Hughes. “Despite the loss at TNS I felt some positives could be taken from the performance.

“We limited them in the first-half and probably created the best chance but they took their chances and showed why they are Welsh champions.”

Despite the heavy defeat Hughes insisted he would not make any sweeping changes.

“We are a working progress,” said Hughes. “Of course we want to win every game but sometimes you take the positives in defeat.

“We kept our shape and showed a lot of desire against the best club in Wales and while disappointed to lose and it being a harsh lesson to learn we can take a lot from the game.”

Meanwhile Hughes is relishing the chance to shine in the Welsh Premier.

Hughes links up with ex-Shrew Callum Roberts, now a regular at Latham Park, and will look to emulate the successful loan spell of defender Ryan Sears who enjoyed a successful season at Newtown before returning to Shrewsbury Town and netting his first senior team goal in midweek’s 1-1 League Trophy clash at Port Vale.

Hughes said: “I am really pleased to get the deal over the line.

“Clearance only came through an hour before kick off but I knew a lot of the lads anyway and have spent the past month training with Newtown a few times.

“It was disappointing to lose but TNS are a good side and will punish any mistake.

“I am looking forward to my home debut against Druids and helping Newtown achieve their goals in the second half of the season.”