Newport County new boy Terry Evans has drawn up a two-year blueprint to achieve Nationwide Conference status for the Exiles.

The 27-year-old right-back maintains that Peter Nicholas' men will need a full Dr Martens League season to adapt to the new manager's way of playing and allow Evans and the proposed new Newport signings to gel.

And the former Swansea City defender predicted County would reap the rewards the season-after-next.

"Peter Nicholas is gradually building a team that can play in the Conference," said the ex-Welsh Under-21 international.

"The fans know they have to be patient with Peter because he's obviously brought his own, different ideas to Newport and he'll probably bring in his own players no doubt.

"Good things don't happen overnight, it will take time but I think the season-after-next we'll be in a superb position to push for the Conference.

"That's not to say we won't have a good go this year, but Rome, as they say, wasn't built in a day.

"Newport County is set-up for the Nationwide Conference, it's professionally run and it has impressed me - but we, the team, need to get County to the Conference and beyond, it's where they belong."

Evans, a victim of Swansea chief Brian Flynn's cost-cutting measures, signed a one-year deal at Newport Stadium last month and is looking forward to the "new challenge" ahead of him in the Dr Martens League Premier Division.

And he admitted former Welsh international Nicholas is the main reason why he made the switch East.

Nicholas and Evans were together at The Vetch last year before assistant manager Nicholas and boss Colin Addison were sacked due to financial reasons.

"Peter was on the phone to me straight away as soon as he knew I had been released by Swansea," said Evans.

"I've got the desire to do well at Newport. Peter Nicholas and the club have impressed me and I was only too happy to sign and embark on a new challenge with Newport County. I know it won't be easy and I'll give it my best."

Meanwhile, Newport County's home midweek Dr Martens League fixtures next season will be on a Wednesday night.

"Last season our home midweek games were on a Monday night," said County's assistant manager Glyn Jones.

"And after Saturday's game, there was not enough time to prepare for our next clash."