Newport County are on a high and manager Michael Flynn believes there is even better to come.
They have won three of their last five matches, are just outside the play-off places on goal difference and have made their best start to a Football League season for 35 years.
“We were rock bottom last season, now we’re eighth on goal difference so it’s a big transformation,” said Flynn.
“It’s down to the boys, only they are the drivers of their own careers. I’ll help them as much as I can.
“They put in the hard work, they’re dedicated, they live right and if they keep doing that then they’ve definitely got a chance of moving on or pushing on as a team.
“I want us to move forward together and go up or have a successful season.”
County have made their best start to a Football League campaign since 1982, when they finished fourth in the old Third Division, when Tommy Tynan and John Aldridge were top of the club’s goals chart.
“I’m sure they’ve got a little bit of a way to go first before they catch the Tynans and Aldridges,” said Flynn.
Newport go to newly promoted Forest Green Rovers side, making the short trip to the Lawn, Gloucestershire (3pm).
Flynn’s team have taken 43 points out of a possible 72 since he was appointed as manager, a total only four clubs have bettered in League Two.
Joss Labadie is likely to play in the attacking role he slotted for the 2-0 win against Yeovil Town and Flynn says: “I know he has those qualities.
“If he’s honest he would have been disappointed not to have a hat-trick, but I thought he was outstanding.
“He led by example and got in some really good positions. He enjoyed it so why wouldn’t I look at that again if it worked well?”
Labadie, Mark O’Brien and David Pipe have all recovered from minor knocks and are available, while Ben White is certain to play despite turning an ankle.
“Ben was a little bit uncomfortable but he’s fine,” said Flynn.
Left-back Calaum Jahraldo-Martin (hamstring), striker Marlon Jackson (hamstring), Robbie Willmott (knee) and goalkeeper James Bittner will all miss the match at Forest Green. Bitter is suspended after being sent from bench.
Hosts Forest Green are third from bottom in League Two with only one win from 12 matches and their former captain Liam Noble has left the club.
Noble wanted to move closer to the north of England and was released by Rovers. He has signed for Notts County on an 18-month contract, but cannot play until the January transfer window opens.
Notts County say they made a £100,000 transfer offer for Noble during the summer, but Forest Green have denied that.
Newport County, probable: Day, Pipe, O’Brien, Demetriou, White, Dolan, Labadie, Tozer, Rigg, Amond, Nouble.
