NEWPORT County midfielder Nathan Davies can't wait for the new Nationwide South season so he can banish the painful memories of his "nightmare" last campaign.

The 22 year-old had to sit out a large chunk of the season with a foot injury picked up in manager John Cornforth's first game in charge and he was still severely hampered when he returned as County managed to eventually fend off relegation.

But now as his punishing pre-season comes to an end, he is back to full fitness and counting down the minutes until the big kick-off against Carshalton next week.

"I can't wait for the season to start," Davies said. "Especially after the experience I had last season.

"It was an absolute nightmare for me with the injuries and the relegation battle but I am fully fit now and hopefully we can have a much better season.

"The foot is 100 per cent now and I am hoping to have an injury-free year." The Wales semi-pro international has been put through the mill in the last four weeks but he has enjoyed getting back in shape for the new term.

He said: "It has been difficult but pre-season training is always difficult. I have enjoyed it and the week away was a great idea.

"It was really good in terms of getting fitness and it has helped built a good team spirit."

He added: "Hopefully there won't be a repeat of last year and we can challenge for the play-offs, we believe that we're capable of that."

Incredibly, the 22-year-old is now the longest serving memeber of the first team having been in the side since he was 17 years old.

But for the first time in years, he has a fight on his hands to keep his place, and he knows it.

"I don't have any right to expect to be in the team," Davies said. "At the club there is Ashley Williams, Kwame Ampadu, Ryan Shugar and Antonio Corbisiero who all play in the middle, so there is competition for places.

"That's the way it should be and it can only be good for the club. It will also help me because I know that I will have to play well if I want to be in the side."

Davies is still favourite to occupy a midield slot alongside recent signing Kwame Ampadu and he expects the former Swansea and Exter man to have a major impact at Spytty Park.

"Kwame is a great signing because he brings in so much experience," Davies said.

"That is something that maybe we lacked last season. The boss has brought in some good players, the two full backs especially (Ian Hillier and Dominic Reece) look quality."

County have their final run-out this afternoon at Natiowide South's Worcester City and Davies is expecting a tough test.

"We have been playing well in the games and scoring goals but this will be a hard match," he said. "Hopefully we can keep the form up though and take it into the Carshalton game next week."