FRANK Nouble is desperate to triumph on his return to Southend United tonight.

The 25-year-old Newport County striker joined the Shrimpers in January but made just five substitute appearances before being released at the end of the season.

And he is now determined to help the Welshmen win this evening’s League Cup first round clash at Roots Hall.

“If I’m playing I hope I score and I hope we win to stick it in them,” said Nouble.

“There’s a lot of things that went on down there so I hope we can go out there and perform, not just for me but for the team as well.

“Everyone’s fully aware [of my feelings] and I want to go there and win.”

Nouble joined Blues while Nile Ranger was suspended for a serious breach of club discipline but found it tough to break into the team once Ranger was reinstated into the squad.

He failed to make the squad in seven of the Shrimpers’ final 11 games of last season but now has his sights set on proving his worth to Newport.

And Nouble - who scored on his debut at Stevenage on Saturday - insists he is feeling sharp after a good pre-season.

“I’m feeling alright,” he said.

“This is the first pre-season I’ve had in two years so I feel fit but match-fit is different.

“I’ve not really played a lot of games in the last year or so.

“It has been a bit difficult but I was happy to get 90 minutes on Saturday.

“I want to get 40 games in this year and obviously if I deserve it I’ll play and if I get that then people can judge me properly on what I’ve done rather than being in and out.”

And Nouble also wants to become a consistent goalscorer for a County side who are looking to build on avoiding relegation on the final game of last season.

“I want to score 20 goals this season,” said the former West Ham forward.

“That’s the target and I think, from what I’ve seen already, we will create chances so it’s just about taking them.”

County hit the back of the net three times to secure a draw on the opening day of the season.

And Nouble now wants to follow that up with a shock victory in the cup.

“We believe we can do well there and we can go out and play with a bit of freedom against a team in a higher division that us,” said Nouble.

“Whatever team the manager puts out I’m sure we will go out there and try to get a result but the main priority is the league.”