SUSPENDED skipper Gary Lloyd has been scanning the Dr Martens League Premier Division League table trying to figure out what position will Newport County be in if they defeat visiting Dorchester Town today (1.30pm).

That fact alone is a testament to the County's improvement following an horrendous start to the season, although the Swansea-born former Wales senior-squad member says it was only a matter of time before the team started to string together a run of positive results.

Now as Lloyd sits out the second of a three-game suspension, manager Peter Nicholas' men host Dorchester aiming to improve their record of just one defeat in the last eight Dr Martens league and cup games.

"If results go our way, we could be fifth providing we beat Dorchester today," exclaimed the former Llanelli and Barry Town left back.

"We must, of course, play well to beat Dorchester, but isn't it a lot more fun looking at the league table now than earlier in the season?

Indeed it is because when County travelled to face Hinckley United on September 20, they were rock-bottom 22nd with no wins and just five points from a possible 30.

Now six league wins and just one reverse later, County are the division's in-form team and many people's outside favourites to clinch a place in the re-vamped Nationwide Conference as a top-three outfit.

"Even when we were struggling for results, I knew things would eventually change because we were creating so many goalscoring chances," continued 31-year-old Lloyd, who, along with Gwent-born Andrew York, soon to be named as Welsh Premier Carmarthen Town's new manager, played in 19 European ties for now-penniless-Barry.

"Some of the wins lately have been achieved without some established players and that proves we have good strength in depth. Having that can make the difference between a run-of-the-mill season and a successful one."

Like most football players, Lloyd (pictured right) is not a good watcher and today he will busy himself before the game in helping in any way he can: "When I'm not playing, I have to be involved in some way or another beforehand to take my mind off the fact I'm not on the pitch," revealed free-kick expert Lloyd, Wales semi-professional skipper who ended a medal-laden nine years with Barry by signing for County in early August.

Lloyd, sent off in the 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Weston-super-Mare on October 22, is suspended for English pyramid games only and is available for Monday's home FAW Premier Cup Group B tie against Rhyl (7.30pm).