CLEAN sheets are in short supply at home with a new baby boy arriving this summer but goalkeeper Joe Day is confident of a successful season with Newport County AFC.

Day has juggled the joys of new fatherhood with the pain of pre-season over the past two months and on the eve of the big kick-off the 26-year-old couldn’t be in a more positive frame of mind.

After pulling off the Great Escape in May, County begin the new League Two campaign at Stevenage this Saturday and Day is certain this season will be more enjoyable than the last two.

“We’re all really excited for the start of the season now,” said the former Peterborough stopper.

“Pre-season is always a tough time physically because you want to get as much work in as you can to set you up for the season.

“But I think we’ve all had a very good and positive pre-season and we’re all ready and raring to go.

“I’m very confident that we’re going to have a better year than last year,” he added.

“We’ve got a good group of lads, we’ve kept a core of the squad from last year and we’ve added some good players as well so I think there’s a real positive vibe going into the new season.

“I think it is key to keep the squad together because then you have a better understanding and you don’t need that time to gel.

“It’s not something that’s happened since I’ve been here and I’m sure it’s going to be a big positive.”

After working with seven managers in three seasons at Rodney Parade, Day is also hoping that new boss Michael Flynn can provide some stability.

“With Michael in charge morale is as high as it’s been for a very long time and everyone is buzzing to get going on Saturday,” he said.

“I’m sure there will be a bit of stability now. That’s something that’s been needed.

“Michael is Mr Newport and I think he’s the man to bring a stability to the club.

“As a goalkeeper it’s a very individual position so the way you play doesn’t change as much but obviously every manager has their own character, their own personality and they impact that upon you.

“All the change can be difficult but it’s something that you kind of get used to as a player.

“But hopefully with Flynny in charge now we won’t be changing for a long time.”

It was that positivity that convinced Day to sign a new two-year deal this summer, as well as off the field considerations.

“I wasn’t really thinking about playing elsewhere,” he explained.

“I was waiting to see what happened [in the relegation battle] and we had our first baby born in the summer as well so it was a case of football being out of the picture for a little while as I concentrated on family.

“Our little boy Harrison is eight weeks old now. We’ve had a few sleepless nights but I’m absolutely loving it and my wife Lizzie has been amazing. She’s making it as easy as possible for me.

“But as soon as the offer was put on the table I didn’t hesitate in signing it.

“You always have options but I was more than happy to stay here.

“The manager was a massive factor in that. I’ve known him ever since I came to the club.

“We know each other very well and we have a lot of trust in each other.

“But I’m an ambitious individual and I wouldn’t have stayed if I thought we were going to be in another relegation battle.

“I want to be taking this club forward and I see a positive future.”