STRIKER Sean Rigg is looking forward to another 'Beast' having his back as he prepares to make an impact at Newport County AFC.

The 27-year-old headed to Rodney Parade this summer after helping AFC Wimbledon earn promotion from League Two via the play-offs.

At the Dons Rigg linked up with Adebayo Akinfenwa, the heavy-set 5ft 11ins front man who reportedly tips the scales at 16st, can bench press 180kg and who is affectionately known as 'The Beast'.

And the new County recruit is relishing a partnership with another imposing player who shares that moniker after he was followed through the door by big frame of Jon Parkin.

The tale of the tape shows that 6ft 1ins, 13st Parkin is taller and lighter than Akinfenwa but the pair use similar methods to make life awkward for defenders.

Rigg seemed to be on the same wavelength as his new strike companion in the first half of Tuesday's 8-1 thrashing of Weston-super-Mare and is looking forward to putting the lessons learnt with the Dons to use in amber.

"They are very similar," said the West Countryman about Parkin and Akinfenwa. "Jon gets hold of the ball well and can get it down at his feet, turn and find me plus he can win flick-ons.

"He is a great player to have in the squad, a lot of people underestimate how good he can be and I look forward to playing with him.

"He's a big target man and is very effective, bringing lots of things to the game. In League Two you need someone who is going to look after the ball because if it keeps coming back then you have no chance."

It could, however, be fellow new recruit Marlon Jackson who partners Rigg in the Rodney Parade opener against Mansfield on Saturday, August 6 as Parkin is suspended for the first three games of the season.

Manager Warren Feeney wants more players to chip in with goals this season after the Exiles struggled to find the net in 2015/16, their tally of 43 in 46 fixtures the joint worst in League Two with Yeovil.

"I am enjoying playing up front after being out wide for the last few years," said Rigg. "When I started as a youngster I was always up top and it's great to be there again.

"Hopefully I can contribute a few goals. I don't really like setting targets… but definitely double figures!"

Rigg is one of a raft of fresh recruits after a summer of rebuilding by Feeney and believes they have the chemistry to hit the ground running against the Stags.

"There were a lot of new lads all put together, which was difficult but we've bonded well and it's all started to knit together," he said.

"There's a good team morale and we've all come in and got on with it. (The pre-season tour to) Poland was good to keep us together as a group, bond and spend time together.

"At the moment it is all about fitness rather than results – you don't get any gold medals in pre-season – but we are all feeling good and raring to go for that first game."