BOSS Graham Coughlan is expecting a tough test as newly-promoted Stockport County travel to Rodney Parade this weekend.

The Hatters are one of the form sides in the division, winning three of their last four and netting seven in the process – while also beating Swindon 4-0 in the FA Cup.

County are themselves still unbeaten in the league under their new manager, and Coughlan said he was looking to continue that momentum heading into the first of three consecutive home games.

“There’s some big games coming up so if there’s teams in and around us they need to be treated the same as teams that are up the top of the table,” he said.

“You treat every game the same, you approach every game with the same mindset and the same mentality irrespective of league positions.

“That’s how you build momentum and consistency and then confidence comes with that.

South Wales Argus: Graham Coughlan is looking to build on County's unbeaten league run.Graham Coughlan is looking to build on County's unbeaten league run. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

“There’s definitely progress there. We’ve got three home games coming up on the bounce, so I think it’ll be fair to judge us after them three.

“We went to Northampton, we went to Mansfield, really difficult games and teams to play against, and I think we more than matched them.

“I thought we created numerous chances and on another day we should’ve come away with victories in both games.

“That was a statement that they can compete at this level and they can compete with the big boys in this division.”

Looking ahead to this weekend, Coughlan said: “It’s a big, big challenge. They’ve turned a corner as we all know.

“They started slowly. They were non-league not so long back but they’ve come in and they’ve adjusted really, really well.

“It was never a non-league club – it was only a non-league club in status. The players that they’ve got have been different class over a number of years. They’ve got some really good experienced players that we all know about and are dangerous.

“They’re a decent footballing team. They play a similar system to ourselves. They are a little bit more adventurous, a little bit more expansive with it at this moment in time.

“They’ve gone through their little patch, we’re just hopefully coming out of our little patch, they’re probably on phase two or phase three of their growth and their development. We’re still in the early stages.

“It will be a massive challenge. Their fans travel in their numbers. They’ve hit really, really good form.”

County will be without Offrande Zanzala, who suffered a setback after his return from a hamstring injury, and Aaron Wildig.

Giving an update on Zanzala’s progress, Coughlan said: “I don’t think they’ll rush him this time. The timescale I’ve been given is still on track, so fingers crossed we get him back in that timescale.

“He’s a massive player for us. He’s a big, big loss. He might just be the key man to come back and help us.”