NEWPORT County defender Andrew Hughes insists the spirit in the camp remains good at the Exiles despite their poor start to the campaign, writes Michael Pearlman.

Hughes is one of those currently on the fringes of the side, hoping to get back into the first XI, but he’s not getting down about his or County’s current predicament.

Newport entertain high-flying Burton Albion on Saturday and Hughes believes County can finally put some points on the board at the fourth time of asking thanks to their unity.

“The team spirit is good, you wouldn’t think we’d lost four games on the bounce, to be honest,” he said.

“As long as we get off the mark, we will be ok, but all the boys are still together and it’s a happy changing room.

“We need to get off the mark and playing Burton at home gives us a good opportunity to do that.

“We’ve taken some positives, we didn’t play badly at all at Mansfield and once we’re off and running we will be a hard team to beat.

“We want to show we are better than the results have shown, it’s still early days in the season and we’ll be up for a battle on Saturday.”

Hughes is expecting Burton to be as tough an opponent as County will face in League Two.

“We saw last season in both games what a good side they are and we’ll have to be really mentally prepared for this one,” he said.

“But we played well against them last season and I think we know what is coming, we just must make sure we are up for it.”

Hughes is hoping to get into Edinburgh’s first XI and to stay there, having come in for the Morecambe game and subsequently getting dropped for Mansfield.

“I thought I played well at Morecambe but unfortunately was dropped, but I want to get into the side and stay there, either as a centre back or a left back, I know it is a cliché but I just want to play.

“Any chance that comes my way, I have to look to take.”