STRIKER Frank Nouble admits that walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of next Wednesday’s trip to Wembley is playing on his mind, but it definitely won’t stop him from fighting tooth and nail for all three points at Colchester United today (kick-off 3pm).

The Newport County AFC frontman would miss the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Tottenham Hotspur if he picks up a 10th yellow card of the season this afternoon – captain Joss Labadie is also a booking away from being banned for the Spurs game.

Former West Ham man Nouble knows one indiscretion could cost him the chance to face the Premier League outfit, and says sitting on nine cautions is “a bit frustrating”.

However, the 26-year-old Londoner has reiterated his belief that promotion from League Two must be County’s primary focus this season, with victory at the Colchester Community Stadium boosting their hopes of going up.

When asked about his disciplinary predicament, he said: “It does play on my mind a little bit.

“It’s frustrating really because some of my yellow cards have been pointless, but it’s part and parcel of the game.

“I’m eventually going to get that 10th one so I’ve just got to play the game as normal and not think about it too much.

“You press the ball and you don’t want to touch them just in case the referee gives a yellow card. That plays on your mind a little bit, but at the same time you’ve got to try and block it from your mind and play the game to win. For me, I’ve just got to focus on the game, if I’m playing.”

He added: “It’s a big game against Colchester. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways.

“It was disappointing in midweek (losing to Lincoln City). I thought we were more shattered mentally rather than anything else.

“We obviously went out there to try and win the game but Lincoln had a good side out and we found it a bit difficult to get our rhythm going.”

The Exiles go into today’s clash four points off the play-offs with Colchester one place behind.

U’s boss John McGreal has added several new faces to his squad since the turn of the year but things didn’t go to plan in January, with no wins in five League Two fixtures.

Giving his take on County’s chances of promotion, Nouble said: “As long as we give our all and leave everything out there on the field I’m sure we’ll be close. Even second place is up for grabs, that’s how crazy the league is.

“We’ve got a lot of top teams coming down to Rodney Parade, and no-one likes to come here, so hopefully we don’t disappoint. It would be disappointing if we don’t make the play-offs.

“We’re striving for big things and hopefully we can do that.”