SAIKOU Janneh aims to get on a roll to help Newport County AFC's push for promotion after breaking his duck for the Exiles.

The 20-year-old signed on loan from Bristol City in the summer and get up and running in amber on Saturday when his close-range volley proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win against Tranmere in League Two.

It's early days but County are second in the table ahead of tonight's trip to Stevenage Borough (kick-off 7pm) and some shrewd business in the transfer market, plus holding onto Josh Sheehan, has raised hopes of challenging for a spot in League One.

Manager Michael Flynn brought Janneh into the XI against Tranmere in place of Padraig Amond, the club's top scorer for the last three seasons, and the call was justified by his first-half strike.

The youngster faces a battle to stay in the starting line-up after the deadline day loan signing of Jamie Proctor to cover for the injured Ryan Taylor, with the experienced frontman joining top scorer Tristan Abrahams, Amond, Janneh and Kevin Ellison up top.

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Janneh knows that his goal tally, as well as willing running, is key to staying off the bench after hitting the net for the first time in his eighth outing.

"I'm very happy to get my first goal. I've been looking forward to it and it's the right time, but I've got to keep going," he said.

"That goal will give me confidence now to keep going and get more goals. It's not easy here because there is lots of competition with the other players, but if you score then it gives you a good chance of staying in the team.

"We've also got to work hard as forwards to make it easier for the defenders at the back.

"It's been really good here, I am enjoying it. I am learning a lot from the older players – Tristan, 'Podge' (Amond), Kevin Ellison, and the manager as well."

County are second in the table and can make a big statement of intent this week when this evening's trip to Stevenage is followed by an away fixture at Bradford City.

After losing for the first time this season at Cambridge, the Exiles responded last weekend and Janneh is keen to keep racking up the points in a hectic schedule.

"We've had a good week before Tranmere, five days of training properly, and now we are looking forward to Stevenage," he said.

"Hopefully we can keep the momentum going because after losing at Cambridge we got a win against Tranmere that got our confidence back."

County won't, however, be allowed to get carried away by their boss despite a start to the campaign that has given hope of a push for League One.

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"When I get back in the changing room one of the first things I look at is the table on my phone and it's good to see that we are second," said Janneh.

"Hopefully we can get promotion but it's the early stages at the moment and we've got to keep working hard and keep doing what we have been doing week in, week out.

"The manager won't let us get carried away and he's a good guy, he keeps pushing everyone."

County have four players on the injury list – defenders David Longe-King and Kyle Howkins, midfielder Lewis Collins and forward Taylor.

Flynn made three deadline days loan signings, Proctor, defender Aaron Lewis and midfielder Jamie Devitt, and must decide whether to bring them in at Stevenage or get them bedded into the club.