Newport County: Offrande Zanzala praises support received during injury lay-off

Offrande Zanzala is a former Derby County trainee

Newport County striker Offrande Zanzala has praised the support he has received after casting aside the "dark moments" of a long-term injury.

Zanzala scored twice on his first league start for more than a year as Newport won 4-1 at Harrogate.

He now wants a strong finish to the campaign after recovering from a serious knee injury.

"There were dark moments for myself where I have had to be mentally strong," said Zanzala.

"But I am mentally strong, I have overcome it. The staff have been brilliant, encouraging and the support has been excellent as well from the fans. It's good to give something back scoring two goals and topping it up with a win."

He added: "I think you could tell from the celebration it was a relief for myself, my family and my friends working hard through all the moments which have gone by."

After five substitute appearances, Zanzala, 27, started for the first time since facing Sutton, on 25 February, 2023 when he suffered a shoulder problem.

He injured his knee while trying to return from that shoulder issue.

The former Derby trainee said: "Injuries happen, you have to come back from that and mentally you have to be strong, which I have been. I have done it before plenty of times with injuries.

"You have to be focused, take it day by day, week by week when coming back and have that view of the light at the end of the tunnel. Nights like this are ideal for me, the team and the staff as well."

The victory over Harrogate moved Newport into 10th in League Two, just two points away from the play-offs as they face two daunting games at home.

They host second-placed Mansfield on Saturday, before a trip to leaders Stockport County a week later.

Zanzala said: "Obviously you never know with how tight it is in the league, we could surprise a few teams, but we want to progress from this win get on a run and get as many points as we can."

With Zanzala, Will Evans and substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden all on the scoresheet at Harrogate, Luke Jephcott settling in and striker Omar Bogle still to return from injury, manager Graham Coughlan has a variety of attacking resources for the run-in.

Evans' penalty spot opener at Harrogate was his 20th league goal of the campaign. Dom Telford - in 2022 - is the only other Newport player since Liverpool legend and Republic of Ireland international John Aldridge in 1984, to reach that milestone in the Football League.

Irishman Coughlan said: "If you are being mentioned in the same breath as John Aldridge and Dom Telford - John Aldridge in particular that Irishman with that great Irish accent! - wow! He must be really pleased.

"I am delighted for Will. But you know me, I will pat Will on the back and say 'well done.' But I will ask him for more and I will remind him of the ones he could have had as well.

"We will keep pushing, keep going and hopefully we can finish the season off strong and will can get a few more before the end of the season."