NEWPORT County AFC striker Aaron O’Connor is aiming to end the worst season of his career on a high today.

The 30-year-old had to wait until April 18 for his first appearance of the League Two campaign at AFC Wimbledon due to a nightmare groin injury.

O’Connor has been under the knife twice since last summer and was also fined by the club for venting his frustrations on Twitter.

But, now he’s finally back on the pitch, County’s Wembley hero from 12 months ago doesn’t want the season to end.

The Exiles complete their League Two programme at home to potential champions Rochdale this afternoon and O’Connor is hoping to sign off with a flourish.

“I think a lot of the boys are welcoming the end of the season and a chance to have a break but I’m probably one of the few who doesn’t want it to end,” said the former Luton Town front man.

“It’s been good for me to get some minutes under my belt over the last few games and I’ll be looking to do the same, whether it’s from the start or as a substitute again.

“So far things have gone well and hopefully we can end on a high.”

O’Connor admits that his usual summer routine will go out of the window this year as he follows a special plan designed to ensure he hits the ground running in August.

“I don’t usually do a lot over the summer; I let my body rest for a good four or five weeks before building up to pre-season a few weeks before,” he explained.

“But this year I’ll be keeping myself ticking over a lot more to make sure I’m fully raring to go.

“And it’s been the hardest pre-season that we’ve ever done over the last few years so I’m looking forward to that!”

O’Connor believes that the Exiles can take a lot of positives from their first season back in the Football League and can improve next season.

“I think over the past two years the fans can be more than happy with how it’s gone,” he said.

“We know we could have done better this year but overall I think it’s been a good season.

“It’s a new league for a lot of the players and the manager as well and it’s been like a feeler season, just getting used to it.

“I think we’ve proved that we can more than match the top teams and we just need to improve our points to performances ratio.”