Frank Nouble reckons Newport County will attract a 7,000-plus sell-out attendance at Rodney Parade on Saturday – because he is playing against his former club.
“It’ll be full to capacity because I’m going down there,” says Nouble, one of three former Exiles’ players in the Colchester United squad along with Ryan Jackson and Aaron Collins.
“I know Rodney Parade will be full because I’ve spoken to a few of them down there.
“The fans are close to the pitch and it’ll be a great atmosphere in general.
“Everybody is looking forward to it.
“The boys will have to make sure they perform well for me – because I did the same for them!
“We did it against Swindon for Nos (Luke Norris) and Pelle (Harry Pell) against Cheltenham, so hopefully they can do the same for me.
“I had a good year there, enjoyed it thoroughly and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Newport, to be honest.
“They have a good fanbase, a good manager and are a good club.
“They’re not one of the biggest clubs in the league but for what they are, they work hard for it and I embraced that at the time.”
Nouble revealed why he left Newport, saying: “Their fans won’t know too much about what happened at the end of the season.
“I was offered a deal, but that came off the table and they tried to offer me something else which wasn’t what I wanted.
“Newport went for quantity not quality in the end with some signings and didn’t keep the boys that did well for them last year but I’m looking forward to going back and seeing a few old faces.
“I’m playing somewhere else now, but I’m really happy that they’re doing well.
“As long as we finish on top of them and beat them that’s all I care about, but I always say good things about Newport.”
Nouble, aged 27, spent 12 months with County before leaving to join the U’s on a two-year contract.
Colchester come to South Wales intent on earning a third successive League Two win, following back-to-back home victories against Swindon Town and leaders Lincoln City.
“We can go second and I think everyone should be excited,” said former West Ham player Nouble.
“Colchester are in the top three and we’re looking forward rather than looking behind us. A great position to be in.”
Nouble is likely to be some way out with his full house prediction, but Newport will hope for an attendance well in excess of 3,000.
County have made an encouraging start to their season and have been consistently in the top seven.
Newport County, possible: J Day, F Franks, M Demetriou, D Pipe, J Sheehan, M Dolan, R Willmott, D Butler, T Bakinson, J Matt, P Amond.
Newport will travel to Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy second round.
The draw was made by former trophy winners Steve Claridge and ex-Swansea City midfield player Leon Britton at Checkatrade’s Lakeside site in Portsmouth.
Checkatrade Trophy
Southern draw
•Chelsea U21 vs AFC Wimbledon
•Portsmouth vs Arsenal U21
•Cambridge vs Northampton
•Exeter City vs Peterborough
•Cheltenham vs Newport Co
•Luton vs Southend
•Oxford vs Tottenham U21
•Swansea vs Bristol Rovers
Northern draw
•Newcastle U21 vs Macclesfield
•Sunderland vs Notts Co
•Barnsley vs Man City U21
•Port Vale vs Stoke U21
•Mansfield vs Bury
•Accrington vs Lincoln
•Rochdale vs Oldham
•Shrewsbury vs Walsall