Departed Sheffield Wednesday defender pays tribute to Garry Monk

The 23-year-old left the Championship club to sign an 18-month contract with the League Two side earlier this week.

Baker said he had no qualms with dropping down two divisions.

“I said to the gaffer at Sheffield Wednesday I need a new start need to play games and he backed me all the way and helped me get the move,” he said.

The defender spent three years at Hillsborough following his release by Cardiff City. He featured 13 times for the Owls under former boss Jos Luhukay but was out-of-favour under both Steve Bruce and Monk.

Baker, from Porthcawl, hopes regular football at Newport will boost his chances of breaking into the Wales national side.

Baker, who has been capped three times by Wales Under-21s, said: "I had a taste of the U21s and you're itching to get into the first team, but first I have to start playing games regularly.

"I have to take things one by one and start playing for Newport regularly first and see where there that takes me.

Baker is aiming to emulate the likes of Daniel James and Rabbi Matondo by making it to Ryan Giggs' senior squad.

"Most of them have dipped their toes in with the first team and I'm itching to do it as well," said Baker, who could make his Newport debut against Swindon.