NEWPORT County AFC striker Conor Washington is backing himself to end his goal drought today as the Exiles aim to wrap up a top-three spot in time for Christmas.

The 21-year-old is County’s joint top scorer with the injured Chris Zebroski on seven goals but the former postman has failed to deliver since the 2-0 win over Hartlepool United on November 15.

That run of seven games without scoring has seen Washington hit the woodwork at Cheltenham and Kidderminster in the FA Cup.

And he hit a brick wall last week when an accidental collision with a Portsmouth defender forced him off due to concussion.

But he’s fit and ready to fire County to victory over AFC Wimbledon at Rodney Parade this afternoon.

“I’m still not sure how it happened to be honest,” he said of the incident at Fratton Park last Saturday in a match that County went on to win 2-0 thanks to two second half goals from Mike Flynn.

“I don’t really remember the incident or much of the first half really.

“As I turned I think I ran straight into one of their defenders so it was a complete accident but I’m feeling fine now and ready to take on Wimbledon.

“It should be a good game and I’m looking forward to it. We’ve got a lot of ex-Wimbledon boys here so that should add a bit of spice to it as well.”

Washington is confident that he will be back on the goal trail soon and rejected suggestions that he would benefit from a rest.

“As a striker it’s nice to get the chances,” he said. “I try not to beat myself up too much about not scoring as long as I’m getting the chances and hitting the target, if you can count hitting the post as hitting the target!

“I’m confident the goals will come and I want to play every game, but it depends on how the gaffer wants to manage it.

“We’ve got players with great quality so we can rotate a little bit even with the injuries we’ve got but it will be good to get Chris Zebroski and Aaron O’Connor back as soon as possible.”

In the absence of Zebroski and last season’s top scorer O’Connor through injury assistant manager Jimmy Dack has stated that Washington, Danny Crow and Christian Jolley need to start putting chances away to relieve the pressure on the Exiles defence.

“We don’t really notice the pressure,” said Washington. “We all just want to go out there and score goals.”

And if the front men do rediscover their scoring touch Washington is certain that 2014 will be another successful year for the club.

He added: “Everyone was a bit apprehensive about making too many predictions at the start of the season but I think as a group we knew that we’ve got the players here to go up via the play-offs or even automatically.”