MIDFIELDER Charlie Cooper believes the home fans can give Newport County AFC a “massive advantage” in Saturday’s clash with Colchester United.

Sixth-placed County will be targeting a win over third-placed Colchester as they aim to reclaim their place in the League Two automatic promotion spots.

And Cooper wants the U’s to feel the full force of the home fans at Rodney Parade.

Looking ahead to the match, he told iFollow Exiles: "It’s a massive game.

“They have good players and we’ll have to deal with whoever they put out on the pitch.

“I don’t think Colchester will expect to come here and win because they won’t underestimate what we can do.

"It’ll be a tough game, just like any other game in this league really, and I think the lads will be right up for it. Hopefully we can pick up the three points and begin pushing ourselves back up the table.

“Being at home is obviously a massive advantage,” he added.

“Every home game I’ve been involved in, or even watched from the sidelines, the fans have been great and really get behind the players.

“I think when teams come here, and we start off well and quick, it’s a really hard place to come and play. That’s credit to the fans really.”

Cooper replaced the injured Scot Bennett during Tuesday’s win over Plymouth Argyle in the Checkatrade Trophy and he’s hoping he’s done enough to force his way into the starting XI on Saturday.

But if, as expected, Tyreeq Bakinson and Matty Dolan get the nod in central midfield, Cooper will be ready to make an impact as a substitute once again.

“Coming off the bench has happened to me a few times this season and it’s all about being ready and trying to start quick because you can then help the team straightaway,” he said.

“It is difficult to come off the bench, but I thought I played myself in quite well, but obviously not playing the last few weeks meant I still felt not quite match fit.

“But I thought I did OK, and the main thing is that the team got through to the next stage of the competition.

“These games give players time to play and show what they can do.

“I thought we all did well in the game against Chelsea under-21s earlier in the competition as well and it was the same again [on Tuesday night].

“It puts trust in the manager I think that he can trust everyone on the pitch.”

Antoine Semenyo and Mark Harris got the goals against Argyle to put pressure on established front two Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt, while academy stars Owen Taylor and Tom Hillman both featured off the bench.

“You can see what Antoine’s got,” added Cooper.

“His physical presence is ridiculous for someone his age. His goal shows exactly what he’s about, pushing lads out of the way and sticking it in the back of the net.

“Antoine’s not given the goalkeeper a chance and then Sparky, nice little header by him and obviously a brilliant cross from Robbie [Willmott] as well, which he’s proved he can provide every game.

"And it shows the club is pushing in all of the right directions with two youth players given the opportunity to come off the bench and play some first-team football. That is a massive experience for them.

"They’ll be buzzing to have made that step and that’s credit to the gaffer and also to themselves for performing well enough.

"Everyone congratulated them in the changing room afterwards, they’ll go home to their families proud and I think their families will be proud of them as well."