Frank Nouble has set himself a target of 20 goals for Newport County this season.
He scored on his League Two debut for the Exiles, during their 3-3 draw at Stevenage, is hungry to hit the net against his former club Southend United in the Carabao Cup this evening (Tuesday, 7.45pm).
Newport manager Mike Flynn says he will make changes, but former West Ham United forward Nouble is keen to play at Roots Hall in Essex.
“If I’m playing I hope I score and we win to stick it in them,” said Nouble.
“There’s a lot of things that went on down there so I hope we can go out there and perform, not just for me but for the team as well.
“Everybody is fully aware [of my feelings] and I want to go there and win.”
Southend signed Nouble from Gillingham to cover for Nile Ranger, the former Newcastle United striker who was suspended for a breach of club discipline.
When Nile ended his ban, though, Nouble struggled to make the squad. He was left out of the 18-man matchday in seven of Southend’s final 11 matches before being released.
The 6ft 3ins Nouble, aged 25, believes he will be a success for Newport this season, saying: “I want to score 20 goals this season.
“That’s the target and I think, from what I’ve seen already, we will create chances so it’s just about taking them.
“This is the first pre-season I’ve had in two years so I feel fit, but match-fit is different.
“I’ve not really played a lot of games in the last year or so.
“I want to get 40 games in this year and. If I deserve it I’ll play and if I get that then people can judge me properly on what I’ve done rather than being in and out.”
Defender Ben White, signed on loan from Brighton, is set to make his Newport debut, wheel Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and David Pipe are also likely to start.
Shawn McCoulsky and Tom Owen-Evans could also play after going on from the bench at Stevenage.
Newport County, probable: Day, Jahraldo-Martin, White, Demetriou, Pipe, Owen-Evans, Barnum-Bobb, Labadie (capt), Reynolds, McCoulsky, Nouble. Subs, from: Bittner (gk), Bennett, O’Brien, Dolan, Rigg, Wilmott, Jahraldo-Martin, Williams.