MATT Dolan can only see Newport County AFC competing at the right end of the League Two table this season if what he has seen so far is anything to go by.

Speaking before the new campaign got under way, summer signing Dolan, 24, said he had been impressed with the way everything was functioning off the field.

Having made his debut for the club in the league opener at Stevenage, helped knock Southend United out of the Carabao Cup and then played in Saturday's draw at Crewe, Dolan is also pleased with the early signs on the pitch.

“Stevenage was encouraging, and we deserved a lot more from the game,” he said. “Tuesday (Southend) was very good too, everyone will take a lot of positives from that.

“Things will fall into shape and I’m sure if we keep doing what we’re doing then we’ll only go one way.”

The laying of an improved playing surface at Rodney Parade means Dolan and his fellow close season arrivals are facing a much longer wait than usual to make their home bows.

The prospect of a new pitch was, according to Hartlepool-born Dolan, one of the big incentives for the club’s summer signings to move to South Wales.

County’s first game on home soil this season isn’t until Saturday, August 26 – and the former Yeovil playmaker can’t wait to sample the freshly-laid Desso turf.

“It’s a bit strange (waiting to make his home debut) but the pitch is important and, like the gaffer said, it was one of the selling points to quite a lot of the players, me included,” he added.

“I’m sure it will be worth the wait and I’ll look forward to getting out there and making my home debut.

“That pitch (last season) was difficult but we’ve got a nice new one this season and we’re looking to play a bit of football on it.”