NEWPORT County AFC loan star George Nurse is relishing his first Christmas as a professional and he’s determined to help the Exiles get back on track in League Two over the festive period.

County have been hit badly by injuries and illness in recent weeks and, despite progressing in the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy, they have now gone six games without a win in the league.

That has seen Michael Flynn’s men slip to 12th in the table, but they are still just six points below seventh-placed Northampton Town with two games in hand.

And Nurse is confident that they can enjoy a positive Christmas period, starting with today’s trip to Morecambe and then on to Exeter City away on Boxing Day before home games against Leyton Orient on December 29 and Cheltenham Town on New Year’s Day.

“It will be my first Boxing Day game so it will be different for me this year, but I’m looking forward to it,” said the 20-year-old, who is on loan from Championship club Bristol City.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here. It is a tough league, but I need that to progress and the boys are great.”

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Looking ahead to today’s clash with basement boys Morecambe at the Globe Arena, Nurse said: “I think every game is a must-win game, really. We’re definitely going up there to win.

“We haven’t been in the best run of form recently and we’re looking to put that right.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and illness, which hasn’t helped, but we need to get back to basics.

“We need to get back to ratting teams and getting after them and grinding out results.”

A depleted squad has allowed Nurse to claim a regular starting spot for the first time on the left of midfield and he’s responded with crucial assists for Padraig Amond in the FA Cup at Maldon & Tiptree and Jamille Matt against Stevenage last week.

“It’s given me a chance to get into the team and obviously I’ve got to try to keep my place now,” said Nurse.

“I think I’ve performed reasonably well and hopefully I can stay in the team.

“I’m playing a bit higher up the pitch, which is always nice, and it gives me a chance to try to create something for the boys like Jamma’s goal last week.

“It was similar to the one that Podge scored [at Maldon] and I know I need to get the ball in the box for the boys to score goals.

“I’m always working on beating my man, getting that yard of space and getting the ball into the box.”

Read more: Newport County defensive duo fit and firing for Morecambe test