NEW defender Ashley Baker says Newport County are planning to play the role of party-poopers at Rodney Parade today (kick-off 3pm), as Swindon Town look to consolidate top spot in League Two.

Baker joined the Exiles from Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee earlier this week and could make his debut in this afternoon’s games against the Robins.

The arrival of Baker and Jordan Green since the 2-1 defeat of Scunthorpe United has increased the competition for places even more following the signings of Billy Waters and Dale Gorman.

The Scunthorpe success – County’s first in the league for nearly three months – came as a big relief to everyone at the club, and hopes are high the Exiles can follow it up with another one.

And Baker, 24, can’t wait to pull on the famous amber shirt and show the fans what he is all about.

“I was looking to leave Sheffield Wednesday, I needed a fresh start,” he said. “My agent phoned me and said there was interest from Newport and asked how I felt about it.

“I told him to get it done as soon as he could. It took longer than I thought, but I’m glad it’s done.

“As soon as I knew there was interest it was a no-brainer to come back home and play for Newport, I couldn’t say no.

“I don’t mind dropping down, I need it for my career. I said to the gaffer at Wednesday that I needed a fresh start and I needed to play games.

“He backed me all the way, to be fair, and helped me get the move, and I’m just glad I’m here to start playing.

“I’m at that age where I can’t be sat around doing nothing, and I’m at my best when I’m out on the pitch playing football with the boys.

“I give 100% in every game, I work hard and can get up and down the pitch.”

He added: “Like the gaffer said, it’s all about putting a run together, but we’ll take it one game at a time, and we all want to upset Swindon.

“We’ll just concentrate on ourselves, that’s the best thing to do, and we’ll look to upset their party, that’s what we’re planning on doing.”

Baker joined Wednesday after coming through the youth system at Cardiff City, while he has also represented Wales U21s, playing alongside the likes of former Newport star Regan Poole.

And like Poole, he would love to break into the senior set-up under boss Ryan Giggs.

“I had a taste of it with the 21s, and you’re itching to get into the first team, but I need to start playing games regularly first,” he said.

“Hopefully I can dip my toe in, but I’ll take things one by one, play for Newport first and see where that takes me.

“I’ve played with Regan, I was in the last camp with him, and most of them have dipped their toes in with the first team, and I’m itching to do it as well.”