Christian Doidge: From basketball prospect to Newport County’s attacking focus

The statistics also show the striker’s value to the Exiles.

Newport scored just 48 league goals last season, the sixth-lowest total in League Two, and failed to score in a third of their matches.

This season, County have found the net in every game in which Doidge has played.

He missed matches against Salford City – where Newport scored once – and Northampton Town – where County lost 1-0 – through injury.

In the four league matches Doidge has played, County have scored a total of nine goals.

Doidge has been on the pitch for six of those – directly contributing to three – but Mullins believes the veteran Welshman’s influence extends beyond goals.

“With Doidge, he’s a really important component,” said the County boss.

“We need a presence as a nine. If we want to cross the ball, we need someone in the box who can finish it and knows their way around.

“If we’re going from back to front, we need a number nine who can look after the ball or bring others into play and Doidgey does that really well.”

While pace and creativity come from the wide areas, Doidge’s role is crucial to the League Two side, as he provides a focal point that occupies centre-backs, protects possession and brings team-mates into play.

“It’s great for me,” Doidge said.

“He basically just tells me to stay in the centre of the pitch and that’s music to my ears.

“It’s helped the team to have a bit of a focal point and leave our wide men in one-on-one positions because that’s what they’re really good at.”