NEWPORT County AFC manager John Sheridan insists Saturday’s Severnside derby at Bristol Rovers is just another game for him and his players – but they want to win it for the fans.

The sides have not met since January 2014 when Rovers beat Justin Edinburgh’s men 3-1 at the Memorial Ground, gaining revenge for a 1-0 loss at Rodney Parade the previous August.

The Pirates were relegated at the end of that season but bounced back to win promotion at the first attempt via the Conference play-off final at Wembley, beating Grimsby Town on penalties.

Darrell Clarke’s men have started the season well and currently sit in 12th position – 11 points better off than rock-bottom County.

But they have not won at home in League Two since August 22 and Sheridan is looking to add to their pain this weekend.

“I’m just looking at it as another game but obviously we’ll take a few fans there and it is a local derby, which always gives it that little bit of extra spice,” said the Exiles boss.

“Hopefully for the bragging rights for the supporters we can get the win.

“But I’ve just got to try to keep the players focused.”

Sheridan enjoyed his first win since taking over from Terry Butcher as an own goal and a late Scott Boden strike sealed the three points at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Rovers also beat Wycombe at home in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy recently and Sheridan is expecting a tough test.

“We’re going into the game on the back of a really good performance and it’s about carrying that into the game,” he said.

“It being a derby doesn’t make any difference to me.

“We’ve just got to perform like we did on Tuesday and we’ll have a chance of getting something.

“Usually when I’ve been involved in derby games they’re tight affairs and not always great spectacles.

“I think it’s about getting the result. It’s the points we’re after but it helps if you can beat one of your local rivals and it’s always good for the supporters.

“They’re a good team and they’ve had some good results,” he added.

“I watched them the other week and they played very well on the night and deserved to beat Wycombe.

“Results haven’t gone their way [at home] but they’ve got some good players there and they’re still on a high from promotion.

“They’ve come into this division and they’re competing very well. They’re a strong outfit but where we are we’ve just got to go and try to win every game.”