STRIKER Aaron O’Connor hopes today’s clash with Morecambe will be the last match he misses at Rodney Parade this season.

The club’s top scorer in the 2012-13 campaign has been a frustrated spectator due to a persistent groin injury as the Exiles have embarked on life in League Two.

His last meaningful contribution was the second goal in the Conference play-off final victory at Wembley in May.

But now O’Connor is stepping up his return to training and is targeting the next home match – against Torquay United on September 28 – for his long-awaited comeback.

“It’s been boring and repetitive doing the same thing in rehab so it’s good to get out and get some fresh air and do a bit of running,” said the 30-year-old.

“I’m not doing too much yet but I’m feeling good. I think I’m probably two to three weeks away from being match-fit and I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully it will be closer to two than three.”

O’Connor admits he will not enjoy watching County take on Morecambe this afternoon.

“We’ve had a lot of draws and the most annoying thing is watching and thinking I could have made a difference in helping turning them into wins,” he said.

“But with the players we’ve got out injured at the minute I think we’re doing pretty well.

“I think we’ve got six or seven players who have been out. That is more than half a team and when everyone is fit we will have good competition for places.

“The first battle for me is getting fit and the next battle is to get in the 18 and then getting on the pitch but I’m confident I can contribute when I’m fit.”

O’Connor has been impressed by his replacement Chris Zebroski, who now has four goals in six league games.

“He’s doing well,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone work as hard as him and when you work that hard you deserve to get goals.

“He’s been good enough to take the chances and hopefully he can continue to do that.”

And the former Luton Town forward, who turned down a host of Football League rivals to stay with County in the summer, is convinced that the club can thrive in League Two.

“I’ve always said there’s not much of a difference between League Two and the good Conference sides,” said O’Connor.

“It doesn’t surprise me that we’re doing OK. We’re in a good position at the minute and I think we can only get better. We’ll be more than comfortable this season.”