Alex MacDonald hopes Oxford United can pick up where they left off last week to finish the season in style at Newport County today.

The U’s head to Wales fresh from signing off at the Kassam Stadium with a 2-0 win against Cambridge United.

MacDonald played his part as the side produced some of their best attacking football in months after the break.

And the winger is keen for more of the same at Rodney Parade this afternoon.

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He said: “It’s a tough old season, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to and hopefully we can come away with a positive result.

“Cambridge was good – because we had a lead and we’re not in that (relegation) fight anymore.

“Hopefully we gave people glimpses of what’s to come and there’s a lot more still to come from us.

“The second half was enjoyable and the manager gives us the freedom to play in the final third.

“It’s what we’re paid to do and hopefully there’s a lot more to come this Saturday.

“It would be nice to do it again, but we’ll have a plan and the manager will gear us up for the game.

“Newport is a tough place to go, so it’s a game we’ll be prepared for, but hopefully it’s one where we can play with a bit of freedom and enjoy it.”

Newport go into the game three points off the play-off places, but their goal difference realistically rules out any chance of gatecrashing the top seven.

They will not be short of motivation, though, with new manager Terry Butcher, the former England defender, watching from the stands after being appointed on Thursday night.

United have been assured of a mid-table finish for several weeks, but depending on results this afternoon could end up anywhere between 11th and 16th in the table.

They head into the game seven games unbeaten, and MacDonald stressed the importance of heading off for the summer break with the run still intact.

He said: “I don’t think people understand when we talk about taking this momentum into next season.

“It’s a winning mentality and it’s something I believe is massive going into next year.

“Hopefully come Saturday it won’t be a defeat, it will be eight games unbeaten taking it into what will be a big season next year.”