NEWPORT County AFC are itching to ditch the turkey and trimmings and get back to playing football according to midfielder Lee Minshull.

The Exiles travel to Buckinghamshire on Boxing Day for a trip to Wycombe with an early start guaranteed after the kick-off was brought forward to 12.30pm.

However, while for most clubs Christmas sees the games coming thick and fast, for County there is a feeling that they are already playing catch-up.

Saturday’s clash with Wimbledon was a victim of the weather – the only game off in the Football League – and the Exiles were denied the chance to move into the automatic promotion berths.

Thursday’s trip to Adams Park is followed by another away day at Burton Albion and Minshull insists County are desperate to get out and play, especially after winning their last away contest 2-0 at Fratton Park.

“It’s frustrating for us, we wanted to play in the Wimbledon game and that’s especially true for me against my old club,” he told the Argus.

“Saturday was a big chance for us to move into the top three and that’s gone now, we missed out and it’s unfortunate.

“Most of the players were able to go home and visit families over the weekend which was a bonus this time of year, but we are training every day around Christmas including Christmas Eve.

“The focus isn’t on turkey, it’s on trying to collect six points from the Wimbledon and Burton games and there is no reason why we can’t do so.

“We are really feeling confident at the moment and just want to play.”

Minshull believes the victory at Fratton Park, secured via a brace from midfielder and Argus columnist Mike Flynn, is the key result of County’s campaign to date.

“We are nice and solid at the back away from home, we have been all season,” he said.

“But there has just been something lacking compared to our home performances, I think it’s a little bit that we have lacked belief in our ability to make as many chances as we do at home.

“It’s been a point here and a point there but we haven’t been able to kick on and regularly win away.

“But we take tremendous heart from the Portsmouth game and hopefully it’s just the start for us.”

Wycombe are likely to welcome a bumper crowd, as is the tradition on Boxing Day, but Minshull thinks that’ll only help County.

“We have a very experienced squad and I think most of the boys will tell you, we like the bigger stage and the bigger games, the more home fans there on Thursday the better,” he said.

“We’ve won at Portsmouth and Brighton this season with big crowds and that shows you the kind of mentality we have.”