NEW loan signing Alex Samuel wants to match the feats of his Swansea City teammate Josh Sheehan and help fire Newport County AFC to safety in League Two.

Sheehan, whose loan from the Liberty Stadium is expected to be extended until the end of the season, is the Exiles’ top scorer with seven goals so far.

And Samuel, who can play up front or on the wing, wants to make just as big an impact after following Sheehan to Newport last week.

Speaking ahead of his debut at Barnet today, the 21-year-old said: “I can’t wait, I’m just looking forward to every opportunity and I’ll put 100 per cent in.

“I want to give as much as I can to this team and hopefully get a win.

“I’ll be doing the very best I can and hopefully getting goals and playing well for the team.

“Josh has done fantastic here – I think he’s got seven goals now – so I want to do the same and give as much to the club as I can.”

The fact that County are bottom of the table and six points from safety did not put Samuel off and he’s convinced the club can beat the drop.

“When I heard Newport come up I thought it would be perfect,” he said.

“League Two football is real football and that’s what you need.

“I need to play real men’s football because that’s the only way you’re going to develop.

“Straight away I knew I wanted to come here and play League Two football and I know I will benefit more playing here than being at Swansea at the moment.

“The situation didn’t put me off,” he added. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of it.

“I think we will get out of it. We just need to focus on the next game, hopefully get three points and keep going from there.”

Samuel says he will not be intimidated by rough treatment from experienced defenders in the fourth tier.

“When I was growing up I played for Aberystwyth when I was 15 so I know about playing against big defenders and I have an understanding of what it’s like,” he explained.

“I think you’ve just got to change your game up a little bit – rather than come in to feet all the time, you’ve just got to maybe run in behind.

“It’s just varying your game and that’s what I’ll be looking to do.

“I’m definitely ready for the fight.”

And manager Graham Westley is excited about what Samuel could do at The Hive Stadium this afternoon.

“I thought he was good before I signed him, which is why I brought him in, and having had him in I think he’s even better,” said the Exiles boss.

“I’m looking towards the weekend and, no disrespect to lads in our team, I’m just thinking that Alex Samuel has made a massive impression on me this week.

“And I can’t wait for the weekend to come because I can’t wait to see Alex Samuel.”