HIS first week as a Football League player didn’t go quite to plan but new signing Yan Klukowski is convinced he can make a big impact for Newport County AFC.

The Exiles are looking to win their first points of the League Two season at Morecambe today after a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day.

And Klukowski believes that Tuesday’s improved performance in the 3-1 loss at Championship club Reading in the Capital One Cup is a big positive ahead of this afternoon’s clash at the Globe Arena.

“I’m excited about what the season holds,” said Klukowski, who started at Reading after coming off the bench against Wycombe.

“I think we’ve got the basis of a squad to have a successful season.

“The game against Reading was a very good reaction to the Wycombe defeat.

“That game wasn’t up to the standards that we’ve set ourselves in pre-season but the Reading game was good; we looked sharp and we matched a very good Championship side and were unlucky to lose 3-1.”

Klukowski, who moved to Rodney Parade from former Conference rivals Forest Green Rovers this summer, is pleased with the way he has adapted to life in the Football League so far but he insists there is a lot more to come from him.

“I feel I’ve settled in very well,” said the 27-year-old midfielder. “I’ve come into a good group of players who have accepted me with open arms and, other than a disappointing opening day result, it’s been good so far.

“I had a hamstring niggle in the build-up to the Wycombe game but it was very nice to get the start against Reading and play against top opposition.

“I think you always have to apply yourself and test yourself and get out of your comfort zone to see how you react as a human being.

“I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I hadn’t done that and tried to develop as a player and a person.

“It’s definitely an increase in tempo from the Conference but I think I’ve applied myself well in my first few appearances.

“I’d like an early goal to get myself kick-started but I’m pretty happy with how I’ve started.

“I’ve set myself a target of ten goals and as many assists as I can this season and I think it’s important to have those targets.”

Klukowski got his first taste of the travelling County support at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday and he’s hoping for more of the same today.

“Our fans were absolutely exceptional on Tuesday,” he said. “They out-sang the home fans and never stopped chanting for us for 90 minutes.

“It’s a long way up to Morecambe but hopefully we’ll have a fair few fans there and we can reward them with three points.”