DON’T Panic! That is the message from Newport County AFC striker Rene Howe ahead of today’s crunch clash with Wycombe Wanderers, writes Andrew Penman.

County need to win or at least avoid defeat to keep out of the relegation dogfight at the foot of League Two but Howe says the players are confident that they will prevail.

“Nothing is going for us at the minute but we’ve got a few more games to put it right,” said Howe, who arrived at Rodney Parade from Burton Albion in January.

“I think we should be safe now but we probably just need another win to make sure.

“We don’t want to be sucked in any deeper but we can’t panic because that will just make things worse.

“I don’t think the lads are panicking. We’ve just got to beat Wycombe and then we can look back on a good season.

“To stay in the league is what you want when you’ve just come up,” he added.

“Being in and around the play-offs was nice but we just want to finish the season on a high now and give the fans something to cheer about.”

Howe came off the bench in Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to promotion hopefuls Plymouth Argyle and he’s raring to go if he gets a start this afternoon.

“I’ve had some personal issues that I had to sort out and the gaffer was very understanding and helped me out,” he said about his absence from the team in recent weeks.

“I’m ready to play again when called upon and I want to help us to end the season on a high.

“It’s been tough to watch the lads giving it their all and coming away with no reward.

“We need to build up some momentum in the final five games now and hopefully carry that over to the start of next season.

“I’m contracted for next year and I’m looking forward to having a good pre-season with the club, which will really help me.”