MANAGER James Rowberry has demanded more clean sheets from Newport County AFC in League Two this season.

The Exiles get under way at Sutton United with the ultimate aim of enjoying another promotion challenge.

Last season they lost 1-0 at Gander Green Lane in April, a result that all-but ended their hopes of making the play-offs.

County played some enterprising football under Rowberry, who was appointed in mid-October, but the wheels came off the campaign in the closing stages.

After eight clean sheets in his 33 League Two games in charge, the boss wants his side to be more miserly to go along with an enterprising approach in possession.

South Wales Argus:

"It will be similar but I have a mindset that i want more clean sheets. We need to add that to our armoury," said Rowberry. "We will be expansive but with that little bit more security behind the ball."

County were ranked 16th in League Two with 12 clean sheets in 46 games, well behind Tranmere and Northampton's 21.

The Exiles look poised to go with a 3-5-2 rather than a 4-2-2-2 to be more solid with three central defenders in the XI.

However, they will still aim to win the ball high up the field with an EFL rule change helping them press with energy.

"This season we have got five subs – that is a game changer," said Rowberry, who could previously use three of his seven-man bench.

"I talk about our front four press with our two wing-backs, two centre forwards and potentially our number 10, that is five lads who are constantly pressing.

"We have five changes to make and that is massive tactical advantage in some ways with the system that we play."