PADRAIG Amond is relishing the prospect of returning to old club Morecambe today, before reuniting with another former employer next weekend, writes David Williams.

The Newport County AFC striker goes back to the Globe Arena in Lancashire this afternoon and then faces Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade seven days later.

A summer signing from Hartlepool United, Amond spent two had two seasons as a Morecambe player, scoring 21 goals in 90 appearances during his time there.

He was released by the Shrimps in May 2015 and went on to enjoy an even more prolific spell at Grimsby.

Amond, who got County’s winner against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night, can’t wait to see a couple of familiar faces today.

“It’s a game I’m looking forward to, it’s one of my old clubs, and I’ve still got a couple of good friends there,” he said.

“It’s weird how it works out because the following week we’ve got another one of my former clubs.

“And last season I had three games in the space of six days where I was playing against former clubs.

“It’s going to be a difficult game against Morecambe but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to.

“Any team that Jim Bentley puts out is always a good team, and himself and Ken (McKenna) do a very good job up there.”

Amond is enjoying life in South Wales and says he has settled in really well following a difficult time at Hartlepool United.

“I’m loving it,” he added. “I was unhappy at Hartlepool and I just needed a change, and I’m so happy to be down here now.

“The lads have made me feel very welcome and it’s great having anther Irishman here in Mark O’Brien.

“It’s been a good start, I’m happy. I could have had a couple more goals but I’m happy with how we’ve started and I hope it continues like that for the rest of the season.

“I think we’ve proved that we’re as good as anyone in the league.

“It’s just getting the consistency is the hard thing, and it’s especially hard for a club that maybe hasn’t been on the right side of the table for the last few years.

“The gaffer has instilled that into us since I’ve come in, and I’m sure he was doing that before I came in.

“One of the things I looked at when I was signed was his record at the club, and he had a fantastic record since taking over as manager.

“People were saying that I was joining a team who were nearly relegated last season but I didn’t look at it that way.

“I looked at a team that had promotion form, so that was the exciting thing for me.

“Hopefully we can get a win this weekend and who know where it will take us.”