It's been a whirlwind few months for Stevenage striker Danny Newton.

Before the start of this season, the forward was plying his trade in non-league football, scoring a hat-full of goals but not getting the chance he deserved in the Football League.

Fortunately for him, the V9 academy came along where he was given a trial by the start-up from Jamie Vardy who knows all about rising from non-league football to the very top.

From there, Newton signed for Stevenage after impressing for the start of this season and he hasn't looked back since with nine goals so far in League Two.

The latest milestone could come tonight as the club face Reading in a FA Cup 3rd round replay and so, ahead of that tie, the forward took time to speak to FLW to look at his career so far and where it could head - as well as a few other things...

Sum up the season so far for Stevenage...

I think we had a really good start, we had a good start to the season and were in and around the play-offs and then we had a bit of a dip. Our away form wasn't the best but we've started to pick up again now so hopefully we can have one more push and get in the play-offs.

There's ten points between Stevenage and the play-offs, and there's a lot of clubs all bunched together going for those spots, are you confident you'll make a late surge for the top seven?

Yeah, I wasn't here last year but from what the lads have been saying is that we usually come strong in the second half of the season. That's what they did last year and I think they just missed out on the last day last year so hopefully if we can replicate that we'll get in there this year.

Individually, nine goals for you so far this season, do you still fancy your chances of getting the Golden Boot?

I've not really thought about it. I'll try and do as well as I can and if I'm scoring goals and the team's doing well that's all that matters at the minute. It would be nice but I can't say I'm going to be top scorer in the league or anything like that, so it's just as long as the team's doing well.

FA Cup tie against Reading this week, after a 0-0 draw in the first game are you confident of getting a result in the replay?

Yeah I think we're going into it confident because there's no pressure on us, we've shown what we can do against them and I think we were the better team when we played against them at our place. I think they're going through a bit of a bad run so I think it's the perfect time to go and get something. Everyone's going to be on top of their game because it's going to be at their stadium too.

Either Sheffield Wednesday or Carlisle if you get through the tie tonight. Have you thought about who you'd like or who your dream tie would be?

I think you think about all possibilities if you get through. If we get Carlisle they're in the same league as us so you'd fancy your chances a lot more to beat them. Obviously on the other side you could get Sheffield Wednesday at their places so it's one of them. We'd be happy be either but if we get through the next round and then get one of the big boys then that's everyone's dream.

It's been some journey from playing non-league to scoring regularly in League Two, how much has the V9 academy helped you?

Yeah it was mad to be fair. It happened quite quickly, I was playing non-league and got asked go to the V9. I didn't know what it was at the time but I read up about it and thought 'I've got nothing to lose' and so I went for the week at the Etihad which was huge. We had five days training and a couple of games in front of scouts and then I got the phone call from Stevenage and went from there - it took me a while to get my head around it.

It seems like a good initiative to pick up non-league footballers who deserve a chance.

Yeah I'd never had a trial or an agent before so it put me in the shop window and really helped me.

Do you think this kind of thing will be a growing trend for clubs finding players?

I think a lot of people will look at it because of Vardy himself. Clubs have already started looking and found lads that can do well for their teams and obviously for a lot cheaper price too. I think people are more willing to take a chance now so hopefully it'll continue because there's some good players out there.

Do you ever hear from Jamie Vardy himself?

I've had a couple of texts from him. I got one from him when I signed for Stevenage that wished me well and then I saw him at the premiere for the show that was on Sky so I spoke to him there for ages. So yeah, he's dead down to Earth considering he plays for England and has won the Premier League.

It gives you the inspiration that you can follow that route too, doesn't it?

That's it, he's done it and given everyone hope.

There's been a few rumours linking QPR and Barnsley to yourself, have you thought much about that? Obviously going as far in your career is something you want to do.

I think every player wants to play as high as they can, I think it would be strange if a player didn't want to go and test themselves higher up. But, to be honest, I've not heard anything and I'm just focused on Stevenage and trying to get them into the play-offs and better myself. So I've not really heard anything and even if I did I wouldn't let it impact me.

Finally, a few more light-hearted questions - who's the worst dressed at the club?

It's a tough one.

To be fair a lot of the lads would probably say me! But I can't say myself. I might have to say Joe Fryer, his stuff doesn't fit him put it that way.

Who's the biggest joker?

Ronnie Henry.

He's hilarious, he gets all the lads together and we're laughing all the time. He's just a nightmare, anyone who comes in, chefs, kit-men he'll be at them and just joking, it's hilarious.

Who's on the music at the moment?

At the moment it's either me or Tom Pett.

We've got a mixture of everything, I like a bit of indie stuff so I put that in there but there's also a bit of rap, we try and mix it up.

And finally, who could be a manager once they retire?

I'd probably say Ronnie as well.

He's done all his badges and I think he's looking at going into coaching and I think he'd be really good because of how he is with all the lads. He gets people going so I think he'd be good.