Brennan aims to get back on track at Newport

Ciaran Brennan signed a two-year deal with Newport County this summer

Summer signing Ciaran Brennan says he is looking to get his career back on track with League Two Newport County.

The 24-year-old joined the Exiles on a two-year deal in June, having left Sheffield Wednesday as a free agent.

Brennan played just four matches on loan at National League Hartlepool United last season, but says he makes no excuses for the lack of playing time.

"I just want to be playing as many games as I can," said Brennan.

"I've had a couple of seasons where things haven't gone my way due to things I couldn't control, but there's no excuses from me.

"I know what my level is, and I want to be playing week-in, week-out for Newport."

Brennan started at centre-back for Newport in their 2-0 pre-season defeat against Bristol City on Tuesday afternoon, but also played a portion of the second half in midfield.

Like fellow summer recruit Matthew Baker, former Republic of Ireland youth international Brennan will offer some versatility to new head coach Nelson Jardim.

"I'm enjoying working with Nelson - he's great, a really good coach," said Brennan.

"Personally, I don't mind [which position I play] as long as I'm playing, whether I'm in a defensive midfield role or at centre-back.

"Centre-back is a bit more natural to me, but I like to have both strings to my bow so I don't mind."

Second-half goals from Nahki Wells and Sinclair Armstrong saw Bristol City beat County 2-0 at the Robins High Performance Centre.

Jardim's Exiles might have equalised when the score was still at 1-0 late on, but striker Luke Jephcott shot wide from a few yards out.

"It was a good workout," said Brennan.

"It was a strong side which they put out and I thought for a lot of the game we more than matched them.

"In these pre-season games you do run out of legs towards the end, but that's what they're for."

County continue their pre-season schedule at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, with their League Two opener to come at Cheltenham on 10 August.