RED-HOT Newport County striker Dave Gilroy is aiming to fire his way into Dean Holdsworth’s plans for next season.

The ex-Bristol Rovers forward will be gunning for Havant & Waterlooville this afternoon having hit three goals in three appearances since returning from a loan spell at Bath City.

Gilroy is desperate to put a frustrating season behind him and concentrate on securing a place in the Exiles squad for their maiden Blue Square Premier campaign.

That prospect seemed a long way off only last month with Gilroy shipped out on loan for the second time this season and seemingly out of Holdsworth’s thinking.

But the Blue Square South goalscoring chart shows that the 27-year-old has hit 14 goals this season – five for County in just eight starts, seven in six appearances for Weston-super-Mare and two for Bath.

Not a bad return for a player in and out of three different teams and who suffered a serious knee injury which kept him on the sidelines for six weeks and Holdsworth told the Argus yesterday that the striker had given him “real food for thought.”

“I’m happy that I’m finally getting a run in the side and proving that I can score goals for this club,” said Gilroy.

“It’s been a weird season with the injury and playing for three clubs but I’m happy to be back.

“I’ve managed to score three in three which is great and hopefully I can finish the season with a flourish.

“The manager has spoken to me briefly and I definitely want to be a part of things next season,” he added.

“To play in the Conference is a great opportunity for me and everyone at the club and I want to stay.”

Gilroy was at Bath last month when County secured the title at Spytty Park against today’s opponents Havant.

The aim today is to reach the magical 100-point mark with a victory and break the all-time record currently held by Grays Athletic of 98 points in the 2004/05 season.

“It’s been a really successful season for everyone and I missed out on the party last month so I’m hoping we end on a high,” said Gilroy.

“Hopefully we can get to 100 points at Havant but if we don’t it would be sweet to do it against Dover next week.

“That would be brilliant and ironic considering they were our closest challengers all season. It will be a great day with the trophy being presented and we can’t wait.”