NEW signing Josh Sheehan is desperate to end his 10-month injury exile today and do his bit to help Newport County AFC stay in the League Two play-off hunt.

Sheehan has not played a competitive match since his successful loan spell with County was cut short by an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury in March last year.

The midfielder was the Exiles’ joint top scorer last season with seven goals but he’s not seen any action since a 10-minute cameo as a substitute at Mansfield Town at the end of February 2017.

After battling back to fitness on a month-to-month deal at Swansea City, Sheehan began training with County again last month and he signed an 18-month contract last week.

The 22-year-old was an unused substitute for the FA Cup victory over Leeds United and he hopes to finally get back onto the pitch at Grimsby Town this afternoon.

“I haven’t had a game yet but I’ve been training for the last two or three months,” said Sheehan.

“I’ve been here since Mid-December because we’ve known this move was going to happen for a while.

“We’ve just been waiting for this. I’m not nervous at all, I’m itching to get out there.

“I’ve been training well and I’m just excited, I can’t wait.

“I’ve got no concerns over the injury,” he added. “It feels like I’ve never had an injury. I knew I was going to come back stronger.

“I’ve done everything the physios asked of me and done extra gym work just to make sure I came back nice and fit and I don’t get any niggly injuries when I do start playing.”

Sheehan’s departure from Rodney Parade last season was announced on the same day as Graham Westley was sacked and he left a team that looked certain to be relegated.

He returns to a club transformed under new manager Michael Flynn and he knows he’ll have to fight for a place in the middle of the park.

“I’m delighted to be back,” said Sheehan. “The club’s doing well and I want to be part of what’s going on here.

“I really enjoyed it last year but it’s a lot different now. You can tell there’s a big change of mentality.

“We’re looking to win every game now. Everyone is focused on winning and you can see that on the pitch.

“The manager is doing a great job, all the boys are really playing into his philosophy and we just need to keep going.

“The boys are doing well at the moment, to be fair. I can’t really complain about not being in the team and when I get my chance I know I’ve got to take it.

“I want to prove to everyone that my knee is fine and I can get back to my best.

“I want to come and play first team football and start my career and show what I’m about.”