JOHN SHERIDAN insists he’s the man to keep Newport County AFC in the Football League.

The ex-Plymouth, Chesterfield and Oldham boss has taken over at Rodney Parade until the end of the season.

And the 51-year old is confident he can revive the Exiles’ fortunes.

“I am not looking beyond this season, that’s my main focus, to hit the ground running and get us in a better position,” he explained.

“It’s an arrangement I’m comfortable with, the board are comfortable with, the club are and hopefully everything goes the way we want it and then we can talk again at the end of the season.

“When I went to Plymouth it was a similar situation, they were in a precarious position, a very similar situation and I got them out of trouble.

“The main thing is to stay up, that’s my focus, my remit and I’m looking forward to the challenge here.

“Things haven’t gone well this season, but there are some good players here. Let’s put some smiles back on fans’ faces.”

Sheridan admitted it was a lure to reunite with County chief executive Jason Turner, who was instrumental in a busy day at Rodney Parade on Thursday.

“The Jason Turner connection played a part, I know him, I worked with him very well at Plymouth and he is a big part of why I’ve come here,” Sheridan explained.

“But it’s a challenge for me, I’ve proved myself in this division, I’ve got a really good record in it and this challenge appeals to me.

“I’ve been out of work since I left Plymouth, so I was itching to get back, first and foremost to keep us up.

“I like at it as us being in a little league of six teams at the moment and we want to get up that league as quickly as we possibly can.

“Once we do that, we take it on from there. But for now, we need to get off the bottom and put some points on the board.”

Sheridan was non-committal on how many signings he’d be looking to make at his new club.

“I will look at the squad; I’m focused for now just on the game tomorrow. I think I can pick a team to win that game,” he said.

“Whether we need one or two new players to come in, that’s something I’ll look at.

“But for now, it’s all focus on Exeter.

“We’ve got some good players, some of the games this season have been very close, it’s been a confidence issue, but they have to forget about what has gone.

“We want the fans to enjoy seeing us win the game. We need to change the mindset and just forget what’s gone. We’ve got good enough players to win games.

“Anyone can beat anyone in League Two; consistency will mean you do well.

“We want to get a bit of confidence in the players. But I already have a team in mind for Saturday and I think it can win us the game.”

Sheridan admitted he is hoping to bring in Lingfield boss Warren Feeney as an assistant manager, but has also spoken of his excitement at working with fan favourites Mike Flynn and Byron Anthony.

“Warren Feeney is someone I know well, but that’s another conversation for next week, I’ll have Byron Anthony and Mike Flynn with me on Saturday and we won’t focus yet on any of that sort of thing,” he said. “I’m looking forward to listening to them.”

Sheridan is on record as leaving Plymouth to seek a return to his native north, but made clear why he felt he wanted to return to the south west.

“It was my birthday on Wednesday, I don’t celebrate my birthday anyway at my age, but it did really come out of the blue, the opportunity,” he said.

“I left Plymouth because I wanted to get back up north, I think that is well documented, but I’m itching to get back in now. It’s been months and I was grateful to get the phone call and know that somebody wants you!

“Where we are in the table isn’t great, but I think it’s a good challenge for me.

“It’s a tough ask, but I have the confidence I can keep Newport up and that’ll be good for the club and myself.

“I’ve just been itching for the opportunity and after four months out the game.

“I look at the table, but I really do think it’s a good challenge.

“It’s a tough ask, but I have the confidence and I’ve missed football.”