NEWPORT County AFC will relish being the underdogs against in-form Colchester United on Saturday, according to assistant manager Wayne Hatswell.

County have enjoyed back-to-back victories in the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy but have only won once in their last seven matches in League Two.

That has seen them fall from second to sixth since the end of September, while Colchester have climbed from fifth to third.

John McGreal’s men lost their FA Cup and Trophy ties to Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United respectively but they have won four of their last five in the league.

But Hatswell insists County are confident of upsetting the form book at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

“It’s a huge game for us,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get a good crowd. They’re going well but hopefully we can get a good positive result.

“We’re really looking forward to it as a group. We want to be playing teams like that – teams who think they can come here and win.

“Sometimes we’re a little bit better when we’re the underdogs and I think that will play into our hands a little bit.

“We’ve got a little bit of a taste for it at the moment and hopefully we can get back to winning ways in the league.”

Key to County’s chances will be Robbie Willmott, who has excelled as a right wing-back in the two cup games – creating goals for Padraig Amond against Metropolitan Police last Saturday and Mark Harris against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.

“When he plays in that shape for us, he gives us that width,” explained Hatswell.

“Full-backs are reluctant to get out to him because they know he can go either way.

“The amount of goals he creates with his left foot crosses as well as his right is a joy for a centre-forward.

“When he plays in that position, he’s a lot more of a threat for us and on his day he’s unplayable, near enough.”

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Hatswell was also pleased that both Harris and Antoine Semenyo (above) got on the score sheet against Argyle.

“They’re great lads to have around the place,” he added.

“Sparky’s been in and out because of international duty.

“Antoine’s been a real handful and he’s got such raw ability.

“I’d like him to start hitting the target a bit more but when he does, he’s scoring goals. He’s got a bright future, as has Sparky.

“They’ve been getting game-time with us and it’s good to see them contributing to the team.”

Joss Labadie and Andrew Crofts are not yet ready to return after recovering from anterior cruciate ligament and Achilles injuries respectively.

But Hatswell is pleased with the progress the pair are making.

“We all know what Labs can do but he’s got to challenge himself and get his own body correct again and getting back to the standards that he’s set himself,” said Michael Flynn’s number two.

“That won’t be easy but he’s fought long and hard over the summer to try to get back to where he is.

“But we’ve done alright without them [Labadie and Crofts],” added Hatswell.

“We’ve got a good squad of players when we’ve got everyone available.

“They’re fighting for each other and we’ve had to play players out of position but they understand that they’re doing it for the good of the team.

“We’ve gone and won at some tough place without them but it’s going to be a bonus that they’re back in contention.

“Me and the gaffer want a bit of a selection headache and of late we probably haven’t had that as much as we should have done.

“And when they’re doing well in training and they’re knocking on your door you want to try to find the right opportunity to play them.”