Nigel Clough has a lot of time for Irish defender Mark O’Brien, the man who kept Newport County in the Football League.

Dublin-born O’Brien, still only 24-years-old, smashed home County’s 89th minute winner in their final match of the season against Notts County to ensure they avoided dropping into non-League football.

“Nothing compares to this – I will never forget this moment,” said O’Brien, who joined County from Luton Town in January. “It is a highlight of my career – and it will live long in my memory.”

Newport manager Michael Flynn has opened talks with O’Brien on a new contract and the tenacious centre-back could be a crucial player in the club’s bid to have a much improved 2017-18 season.

The Exiles finished one place above the relegation zone with Orient and Hartlepool going down.

O’Brien is intent on getting back to Championship level, where he played with Derby under Clough and playing regularly for Newport next season would give him the chance to show what he can do.

Certainly, Clough has no doubts about O’Brien’s character and ability. He had a series of operations during his time with Derby and had a faulty heart valve repaired when he was 17-years-old.

Republic of Ireland youth international O’Brien was a product of the Derby Academy and Clough said: “Mark is an asset. He has a bright future.

“Mark’s heading ability for somebody who is not 6ft 2in or 6ft 3in tall, is outstanding.

“There is a lot to work with, we just want him on the pitch. With an injury-free six months I think we would really see him blossom.

“He’s a natural defender who is honest, brave and committed. Mark who will put his head where some players would not even put their feet.”

O’Brien signed for Newport on a short-term contract in January. He is one of 12 members of the squad whose contracts end this summer.

Flynn wants him to stay and O’Brien has confirmed talks on a new deal have started and will be completed over the next couple of weeks.

“I feel I’m still capable of doing what I did years ago at Derby,” says O’Brien. “If I get my head down and work really hard there will be opportunities, hopefully.

“I do still have in my head that I want to get back to where I was before and if not try to progress even higher.”

O’Brian progressed from schoolboy footballer to Derby first team player during seven years with the club, making 35 appearances. He also played on loan at Scottish Premier League Motherwell.

He was released by Derby manager Steve McClaren two years ago, moving on to Luton Town and Southport before joining Newport.

Now O’Brien is a wanted man and Flynn would love to have him in the County team next season.

The Newport manager has, though, released eight players.

Veteran defender Darren Jones has retired from playing and seven other out-of-contract players have been told they can move on.

They are goalkeeper Marcus Beauchamp, defenders Liam Angel, Paul Bignot and Kieran Parselle, midfielder players Finlay Wood and Jack Compton plus striker Tom Meechan.