NEW County striker Rene Howe insists he’s joined the Exiles for one reason alone, the chance to play League One football next season.

The former Torquay striker joins the Rodney Parade outfit on an 18-month deal after his contract with Burton was cancelled by mutual consent.

The 27-year old enjoyed a previous spell under manager Justin Edinburgh at Rushden and Diamonds and admits that relationship gave Newport the edge of several other suitors.

“I am happy to be here, I know a few of the lads, Aaron O’Connor and Danny Crow and I know Justin from my Rushden days and I know he’s a good man,” he said.

“He’s a good man manager, he is looking for promotion, that’s what he’s told me and I believe we can push on and do that, it’s my ambition in coming here.

“The club are doing very well so far this season and there is no reason why that can’t continue.”

Howe admits he’s frustrated by the way his time at Burton ended.

“I wanted to get away from Burton and be playing, for whatever reason it hasn’t worked out for me there and Justin stepped in and told me he would give me game time,” he said.

“I left Burton by mutual agreement; I have no issues with them. It wasn’t a playing issue, if you are saying it was about issues between the manager and myself, I would agree.”

Howe believes he can add a new dimension to the Newport attack.

“I look to hold the ball up and hopefully I will score goals, I consider myself a goalscorer, I’ve had a proven track record, I scored over 30 goals for Torquay and had 17 assists in two seasons,” he explained.

“There are already good strikers at the club; if all of us get scoring then we can really push on this season.”

Howe might have already been a Newport player, as Edinburgh has kept tabs on him for some time.

“The manager rates me, I know that, I’ve been close to coming here in the past to work with the gaffer and it just hasn’t worked out,” he confirmed.

“I nearly came in the loan window, I have been in contact with the gaffer and I was very happy to say yes to him this time.

“I had clubs up and down the country ready to take me but I respect Justin, I want to help him and the team and hopefully it’ll be enough for us to get promotion.”