NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher says the return of players from injury, added to last week’s loan signings, has given him an embarrassment of riches up front for tomorrow’s trip to Plymouth Argyle.

For almost the first time this season Butcher won’t be able to fit all his attacking options into the starting XI with Lenell John-Lewis and Alex Rodman back from injury.

Those two join Medy Elito, top scorer Scott Boden, loan signing Zak Ansah and teenager Aaron Collins in the battle for a starting spot in the final third for County.

“It was interesting in training because Lenny and his team were rifling goals in and I was thinking ‘he’s in the team’ and then Zak Ansah starts rifling goals in and I’m thinking ‘he’s in the team’ and Aaron Collins was impressing as well,” said the Exiles boss.

“In some respects I wanted one person to stand out from all the others but it’s nice to have those options.

“That’s what I’ve wanted all along – real competition for places and real tough decisions over who to put in and who to leave out.

“That keeps players on the edge,” he added. “They’ll be thinking ‘we’re not winning’ or ‘I’m not scoring’ or ‘we’re shipping goals’ and they look over their shoulder and see players who could easily take their place.

“I think that ups the standard and makes sure the players do their jobs well.”

Ansah’s fellow loanees Josh Laurent and Aaron Hayden are also pushing for a place in midfield and defence respectively.

“Aside from Andrew Hughes, it’s only Nathan Ralph and Matt Taylor who are missing now,” said a relieved Butcher.

“They’re not quite there yet and we’re looking at another couple of weeks for them to get back into training.

“But with only two injuries I think that’s some kind of record for us this season!

“And when Matty Taylor comes back we’ll have that level of experience as well.

“We really do want him back, and quick. But we can’t rush him.

“He’s making good progress and when we get his experience back we’ll be a lot stronger.”

Butcher is happy with the options available to him but is not taking the third-placed Pilgrims lightly.

“Plymouth are a team that doesn’t change much and they’ve got a good style of play,” he said.

“Graham Carey has come into the team from Ross County and I know him from there. He’s done very well and Jake Jervis has too.

“They’ve got players of good ability and it is very much the core of the side that got to the play-offs last year so it will be a tough test.”