MIDFIELDER Tom Naylor is delighted to have signed an extension to his loan at Newport County AFC and is aiming to play a big part in the club’s promotion push.

The club this week agreed a deal with Championship club Derby County to keep the 22-year-old at Rodney Parade until the end of the season.

And Naylor believes that he and County have every chance of finishing the campaign in League One.

“I’m very happy to have signed on the dotted line,” said the former Mansfield Town man.

“I wanted to stay and finish the job we’ve started here by helping to secure promotion to League One.

“It means I’m a County player until the end of the season and I can be fully focused on the promotion push.

“After that we’ll look at it again in the summer because I still have another year on my contract at Derby but I’m not worried about that now.”

Naylor is keen to reclaim his starting place in midfield after recovering from a groin strain but he knows he has a battle on his hands to displace veteran Mike Flynn, who scored three goals in December.

“I had the groin injury against Peterborough and since then Flynny has come in and done the business with three goals so I can’t grumble too much,” he said.

“Hopefully I can force my way back into the side because I feel I’ve done well in midfield and I enjoy playing in there.

“Obviously it is good to know that the gaffer has confidence in me,” he added.

“We spoke a few times and he made it clear that he wanted to keep me on if he could and I want to play a big part in the rest of the season.”

Naylor is hopeful that tomorrow’s home clash with Northampton Town survives the weather after the New Year’s Day visit of Oxford United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Exiles are looking to get back to winning ways after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion.

“We weren’t at our best against Burton. We had limited chances and couldn’t really get into the game,” he said.

“I thought we might hold on for a point but it wasn’t to be and because the game was off on New Year’s Day we haven’t had a chance to bounce straight back.

“It’s frustrating because we want to crack on. We’re playing well and we don’t want to fall too far behind the teams at the top.

“As it is we need to win our games in hand to get back up there so hopefully the game goes ahead on Saturday, we beat Northampton and we’re back on track.”