NEWPORT County fans favourite Garry Shephard has given boss Tim Harris a timely pre-season boost saying: "I'm back fit and raring to go."

The 26-year-old hotshot, pictured, was on fire during the 2000-01 Dr Martens Premier League campaign plundering 26 goals - making him runner-up in the league's top goal-scorer charts.

He's also sixth in Exiles' all-time top-scorers list with 40 goals in 81 games.

But last season Shephard didn't reach those dizzy heights. He scored only nine in 29 starts before fracturing his collarbone and dislocating his shoulder in County's January home clash with Newport IOW - meaning he missed the last four months of the campaign.

However, he plans to be on the war-path this term so Dr Martens defences better watch out as he tries to keep up his one goal to every two games ratio for County.

"I'm like a kid," said Shephard. "I'm so excited, I can't wait until the season starts.

"I have lost a lot of weight and I feel sharper than ever. Training has been hard work, as I haven't trained with the team for six months, but it has been enjoyable.

"I have obviously been working-out on my own but that doesn't substitute match practice. Before training on Monday, I hadn't kicked a ball since January."

Shephard will be going head-to-head with Martin Paul, who netted 17 times last season, and new boy Mark Dickeson, who recently signed a two-year deal at Newport Stadium after going out of contract at League of Wales side Llanelli.

"The slate has been wiped clean in my opinion," said Shephard. "Past form means nothing now.

"I need to prove in the pre-season friendlies that I'm worthy of a place in the starting line-up for the first league game at Cambridge City on August 17."

Paul and Dickeson both agree that the red-hot competition for places up-front is what any side gunning for glory needs - and Newport hope they'll be one of the contenders seeking promotion to the Nationwide Conference next term.

"It will be another long season," said Paul. "The fixture list looks crammed already and that doesn't include FAW Premier and Gwent Senior Cup matches.

"We need competition for places to keep us all on our toes and to cover for injuries.

"Also all three of us have different assets which the manager might want to utilise for a certain game or at a particular time."

Target-man Dickeson, a Welsh semi-pro international, added: "Competition is healthy and we'll all have to be at our best to have any chance of getting a start.

"Because I am the new boy, I'll have to prove myself more than the others. But I'm ready for the challenge."

Shephard added his shoulder and collarbone are still 'tender' but will be 'okay'

"The consultant said it will take a year for them to be 100 percent," he said. "So, I'll need a good pre-season to make sure I'm strong enough for the hustle and bustle of the league."

* Dr Martens Western League side Cinderford Town have signed former Newport midfielder Scott Griffin and Lee Relish, son of ex-County manager John.

* Gwent County FA's AGM, which was pencilled in for July 17 at has been postponed. It will now be at Newport's Civic Centre on Thursday, July 25 (6.30pm).