Omer Riza's keeping an eye on me - Evans

Midfielder Kieron Evans says he is encouraged that Cardiff City boss Omer Riza has been in touch during his loan spell at Newport County.

Evans is on a season-long loan at Rodney Parade after signing a new one-year deal with the Bluebirds in the summer.

The 22-year-old has made 10 League Two starts for County, and Riza - now Cardiff's permanent manager until the end of the season - has been keeping tabs on him.

"I've spoken to Omer, he's been in contact a few times," said Evans.

"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.

"He's a good bloke, keeping an eye on me to see how I'm doing."

Brithdir-product Evans played on loan at National League outfit Gateshead last season, having previously had a spell at Torquay United. He has five league appearances to his name for the Bluebirds.

He made a second-half substitute's appearance in Cardiff's 2-0 Carabao Cup first-round win over Bristol Rovers in August.

He says it is too early to predict where he will be playing his football next season.

"I signed a new deal at Cardiff at the start of the season. I've got to be respectful of Cardiff," he said.

"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."

Evans, usually a wide midfielder, has been playing in a deeper role for County in the past couple of games, in the absence of injured co-captain Aaron Wildig.

"The gaffer has put me as like a [number] six, which I'm happy to do for the team," said Evans.

"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."