NEW signing Fraser Franks is targeting promotion with Newport County AFC and he believes they can prove the surprise package in League Two this season.

County have one of the smallest budgets in the division and, despite last season’s 11th-place finish, many bookmakers are expecting them to be in a battle against relegation over the next nine months.

But Franks, who turned down a new deal at fourth-tier rivals Stevenage to move to Rodney Parade on a two-year contract this summer, is confident that he can realise his ambition of playing in League One with the Exiles.

“We’ve had a good pre-season,” said the 27-year-old centre-back ahead of today’s opening match of the campaign at Mansfield Town (kick-off 3pm).

“We got what we wanted out of it, which was fitness and not too many injuries, so we’re happy and quietly confident that we can go under the radar this season.

“There’s not many tougher places to start but I think it’s a perfect time to play teams like Mansfield.

“We’ve got to go into it with confidence. It’s the opening day and everyone feels like they can do something in the league.”

Mansfield are one of the division’s big spenders and are among the favourites to win promotion but Franks is certain that County can compete with anyone at this level.

Asked about the small budget, he said: “I think we can use that as a positive. We’ve got a group who aren’t here for money. At other clubs sometimes you just sign there for the pay cheque.

“We haven’t got the biggest budget but neither did teams like Accrington last year and I don’t think you can use that as an excuse in this league.

“This is a new challenge for me at a club going forward with an ambitious manager.

“I’m 27 now and I still feel like my best years are ahead of me.

“I’m ambitious and I want to go to the next league and so does the manager.”

Franks paid tribute to the way that manager Michael Flynn has transformed the club since he took charge in March 2017.

“It’s been a massive turnaround,” he said. “I think the way people look at Newport County compared to what they did a couple of years ago is mainly down to him.

“He’s got a group that are together and fight on and off the pitch for each other. He’s got the fans on side and everyone thinking that we can do something this season.”

Fellow new signing Andrew Crofts will captain the side this season but Franks feels that the squad contains several leaders.

“I feel like I’m one of the older heads and I feel like I’ve developed into a leader,” he added.

“Croftsy is a good leader and we’re lucky to have him but I think we’ve got a lot of leaders.

“I think we’ve got myself, Mickey [Demetriou], Croftsy and people like Benno [Scot Bennett] and Matty Dolan, which will help us."