STRIKER Jamille Matt says Saturday’s showdown with League Two strugglers Stevenage “can’t come quick enough” for Newport County AFC.

The Exiles host Matt’s former club at Rodney Parade on the back of four straight league defeats, a run which has seen Michael Flynn’s men drop to 12th in the table.

While their league form has deserted them since the end of October, County have progressed to the third rounds of the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy.

Only goal difference is keeping Stevenage off the bottom of League Two, but although he is keen for County to get back to wining ways, Matt knows they can’t take the visitors lightly.

When asked if the position of this weekend’s opponents helps County’s chances of ending their winless streak, Matt, who enjoyed a loan spell at Broadhall Way in 2015/16, said: “I don’t think you can look at it like that.

“They finished around the play-offs last season and a lot of that squad is still there.

“They’ve got good players and, even if they aren’t having the greatest of seasons, they can still be dangerous.

“On the flip side, if you look at the team we’ve got, I think we have improved since last season.

“We’ve had a disappointing run of results recently and this game can’t come quick enough.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves, but we need a win as soon as possible to start building momentum again.

“The fans have been brilliant all season and it would be nice to get a good crowd on Saturday.”

Saturday could see the return of defender Mickey Demetriou who has been out since August after suffering a broken leg.

On possibly having him back, Matt added: “We’ve had injuries to key players which hasn’t helped.

“The boys that are unavailable have been working their socks off to get back, and everyone is working hard in training to try and put things right.

“Mickey has been one of the mainstays in the team over the last couple of years, so of course he was going to be a miss.

“But there have been times when we’ve kept clean sheets and defended really well without him in the side.

“Mickey offers much more to the team than just his defending and he’ll be a welcome addition to the side when he comes back.”

County’s recent form has led to some posting on internet forums to question the future of manager Flynn.

But Matt has no time for that, saying: “It’s laughable. If people are calling for the gaffer to go then they are not really County fans and have got short memories.

“Because of his connection with the club it hurts him more than anyone when we are not doing well.

“I’ve not been happy with my season so far, especially with the standards I set last year.

“I beat myself up a lot when I don’t play well and I’m working hard to change things.

“There is definitely room for improvement – and as a team we know we have to improve.

“We’re not where we want to be in the table, but we’re not a million miles away.”