NEWPORT County winger Sam O'Sullivan admits this is a massive season for him personally, as he bids to cement his place in the County starting line-up.

O'Sullivan is the most used substitute in the club's history, having found himself in and out of the team since graduating from the County academy.

The former schoolboy international, 20, is closing in on 100 appearances for the Exiles and will feature for the 98th time when he starts against Basingstoke Town tonight at Spytty Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

With bags of pace and a striker's instinct, O'Sullivan is a real handful when he is on song.

He found the transition from centre forward to winger tough at times last term, but is determined to make himself a regular starter this season.

He did his prospects no harm at all with an excellent display in Saturday's season opener, a 3-3 draw at Fisher Athletic, where his inch perfect cross led to Julian Alsop's first goal for the club.

On Saturday he started on the right wing, but tonight he will patrol the left flank with Jason Bowen reverting to his favoured position.

However, confident in his ability, O'Sullivan is sure he can shine in the number 11 role.

He explained: "My main aim this season is to stay fit and make myself a player that the manager can't leave out, I want to cement my spot as a regular starter.

"I was a striker and it is hard adjusting to a new position, that is why I struggled at times last season.

"But I feel a lot more confident in the role now, I have worked a lot over the summer on my strength and as I get older I get stronger.

"I also feel far more confident now about playing in midfield. It is difficult to adjust in some ways, but as a former striker, I know where I would like the ball delivered and try to put it in those areas for our forwards.

"I'd like to score more goals (he got four last season) but if I create them and we win the game, I'll be more than happy."

County will be without keeper Tony Pennock for months and defender Paul Cochlin and midfielder Lee Jenkins face at least five weeks out of action.

Other than that, Beadle has a fully-fit squad and is likely to stick with the side that drew at Fisher, though defender Stewart Edwards is now fit and may be added as a substitute.

County from: Giles, Ovendale, Thomas, Edwards, Searle, Hillier, Brough, Davies, Williams, Collier, Topper, O'Sullivan, Bowen, Prosser, Green, Hughes, Alsop