STRIKER Courtney Baker-Richardson believes Newport County AFC have shown they can be promotion candidates this season after back-to-back home wins over Doncaster Rovers and Accrington Stanley, writes Andrew Penman.

After a summer of change at Rodney Parade, with a new head coach in Nelson Jardim and 14 new signings so far, few were predicting a promotion push for the Exiles.

But County are up to fifth in the League Two table, albeit after only three games, and Baker-Richardson believes they can upset the odds.

“For me personally, I want to get promoted this season,” said the 28-year-old, who rejoined the club last month after helping Crewe Alexandra to the play-off final in May.

“I missed out at Crewe last year, so I had that sniff and I’m hungry because of how close I was last season.

“We’ve got to make Rodney Parade a fortress this season because everyone has got to come here and play us.

“If we can keep playing like we can at home and carry that momentum on the road, who knows where we can finish this season.

“Doncaster were a frightening team to play last season, and we turned them over quite comfortably,” he added. “If you can dispatch one of the biggest teams in the league, the world’s your oyster.”

Baker-Richardson has scored twice already this season with penalties against Cheltenham Town and Accrington, and his goals will be crucial if the Exiles are to maintain their encouraging start.

Having scored eight times for County in the 2021-2022 campaign, the former Swansea City forward hit nine the following year for Crewe and 10 last season, but he insists targets are not important.

“It’s a great for me personally to be back amongst goals in my second spell, but it’s all about winning,” he said.

“Every player does set themselves a personal target and you have it in the back of your mind. But I like to do what I do with a clear head, playing without fear.

“If my goals need to take a step back to allow other people to score then that’s fine. It’s all about the team winning at the end of the day and that’s the mentality we’ve all got.”

Baker-Richardson sees similarities between the style that Jardim is trying to implement and that of then-manager James Rowberry during his previous spell at the club.

“There are massive changes going on at the club, we all know that,” he said. “But it’s a similar style of football to when I was first here, and I think that’s why we did so well in that first stage [under Rowberry].

“I came back here because I really enjoyed my first time here. I know what the club is like, I know the fans, it’s a homely family club.

“Obviously, I’m leading the line now and I hope everyone is happy with the performances from me personally and all the boys.

“I think we can do great things if everyone gets behind the team.”