SEAN Rigg says new manager Graham Westley’s intense training methods will make Newport County AFC the fittest team in League Two.

Westley is understood to have been unimpressed with the fitness levels in the squad after replacing Warren Feeney.

Ahead of his first match in charge at Yeovil Town tomorrow he has been working the players hard in training and Rigg believes that will only benefit the team.

“It’s been a lot different. It’s been a test,” said the 28-year-old forward.

“It has been harder. Obviously the new gaffer is trying to raise our energy levels and our fitness.

“It is definitely more demanding and you do need that. Obviously it’s a shock to the system initially but I do think it will help.

“At least we will go into games knowing that we’re going to be the fittest team in the league and I think that confidence goes a long way.”

Westley says he will push the players hard on the training pitch, even if it leads to injuries.

“For me every day is a match day,” said the manager.

“There’s no half measures on the training ground for me. I want to see the standard out there that I’m going to see on a Saturday.

“There are one or two that are nursing little strains but it would be my aim to push at them a bit to test their characters and see who comes through.

“If the load didn’t cause one or two little niggles I’d be disappointed.”

Rigg revealed that tactical input from the new manager has been limited in his first week but he fully expects the team to climb off the foot of the table quickly and to keep rising.

“He hasn’t said an awful lot,” said the former AFC Wimbledon man.

“I think he’s going to give it a bit little bit of time before he starts giving us more input.

“But it has been mentally and physically testing over the first few days and I think that’s good – as players you need that.

“We are well up for it and looking to start putting points on the board.

“I do feel with the squad we’ve got that we could be a lot higher,” he added.

“Obviously there’s only one way to go from here. It’s just about putting a few points on the board and I’m confident that we will do that.

“I feel very confident that we won’t be in a relegation battle.

“I think once we get a few results under our belt we can pick up some momentum and do OK.”