NEW signing Billy Jones says he’s got the experience to help Newport County AFC push for a second successive promotion this season.

The 30-year-old left-back signed for County on an initial one-month contract yesterday having been released by League Two rivals Cheltenham Town at the start of the month.

Jones is expected to come straight into the team at left wing-back to replace the injured Andy Sandell and relieve right-sided defender Ryan Jackson who has been filling in on the left.

He was a key part of the Robins’ run to the League Two play-off final at Wembley last season, making 46 appearances and creating 11 goals.

But he has not played a game this term since the arrival of 25-year-old Craig Braham-Barrett from Macclesfield and was released by mutual consent on transfer deadline day.

“I was a bit disappointed to leave Cheltenham but that’s life. You get on with it and now I’m looking forward to a new challenge,” said Jones.

“I got a phone call three or four days ago from Justin just to say that he’d like to sign me.

“It’s nice to feel wanted and it was a bit of a no-brainer really for me to come down and play games.

“I’ve never played under Justin but I’ve heard good things and I spoke to Lenny Pidgeley about the club and he had nothing but good things to say.”

Jones, who has also played in the Football League for Leyton Orient, Kidderminster Harriers, Exeter City and Crewe Alexander, believes County can challenge for promotion to League One this season.

“It’s not out of the question,” he said. “I’ve played enough games to know what it’s all about in this league and we’ve got good players here. We’ve seen teams come up and go straight up again.”

Right-footed Jackson has struggled to replicate Sandell’s attacking threat in the last two games but Jones is relishing the chance to play at left wing-back against Morcambe tomorrow.

“I like to get on the ball and play, get good crosses in and get up the pitch as well as stopping the opposition scoring goals,” he said.

“I’ve been told I’ll be coming in at wing-back, which I haven’t played for a while, but I’m going to enjoy that because I like getting up and down.

“I’ve not played a league game this season but I’ve been keeping myself fit and it was only two weeks ago that I left Cheltenham so training-wise I’m feeling good.”