NEWPORT County defender Andrew Hughes has raised his bat for a ton, but now he’s got his eyes on cup glory, writes Michael Pearlman.

The County academy graduate returned from injury at the weekend to help the Exiles to three vital points over Chesterfield at Rodney Parade in a special day for both the club and the player.

For Hughes, it represented his 100th appearance in Black and Amber and he couldn’t be happier to have made his mark.

Now used more frequently as a left-sided central defender than a full-back, Hughes has become as increasingly important figure for the Exiles.

And with a squad now more competitive than ever, Hughes is hopeful County can fight on all fronts, including by booking a glamour away day in the FA Cup.

The Exiles can reach round three tomorrow for the first time since 1982/83 by winning at bogey side Kidderminster, with the potential for a showdown at Manchester United or Liverpool as a reward.

“It’s a great time for me personally, I was very proud to play my 100th game for Newport and to win it against a very strong team, it was pleasing,” Hughes told the Argus.

“We have been in excellent form and have nothing to fear of any side and now we head to Kidderminster.

“It’s a big game for us and the fans and the way we are playing we’ll expect to be in the hat for the next round.

“It can help you as a club, especially financially, having a cup run and we want to keep the run going.”

The youngster, however, has absolutely no doubt as to who he’d like to face in round three.

“Cardiff City at home, by a mile, that’s the game I’d want and that’s a game the fans would love,” he said.

“But first we have to do the job at Kidderminster.”