LOAN striker Zak Ansah has left Newport County AFC and returned to Charlton Athletic as he recovers from concussion - but he could be back.

Ansah was forced off after taking a kick to the head at Dagenham & Redbridge last Saturday and the 21-year-old is now back with the Addicks.

But County manager Terry Butcher is open to the possibility of the striker returning to Rodney Parade in the near future.

“Zak is out this weekend with concussion so he wouldn’t have been able to play anyway but that’s not dead in the water yet,” explained the Exiles boss.

“All the locals at Dagenham last week thought he was play-acting to get a free-kick.

“It didn’t look that serious but it was. I spoke to him on the Sunday and the Monday and it still hadn’t cleared up.

“There was a problem with focus and due to the regulations he can’t play.

“Charlton now will make sure he gets the right treatment and we’re still optimistic that he may come back.

“We still want great competition and it is goals that will get you points and get you up the league.”

Butcher was also linked to Crystal Palace striker Keshi Anderson and he says the youngster was one of several targets considered.

“He’s one we’ve monitored,” he said. “We’ve monitored lots of players and we got knocked back on a few last week.

“We would have loved to have bought them here and we’re still working on them.

“We’d like a bit of experience in midfield, someone with a bit of presence and we’re working on that.”

New loan signings Janoi Donacien and Tyler Blackwood should be available to play at Carlisle United this weekend.

Veteran centre-back Matt Taylor could also feature after making the bench last week.

Andrew Hughes, Alex Rodman are back in training but not yet ready to start and Yan Klukowski, who was sidelined last week with a groin strain, may miss out again.

Nathan Ralph is having treatment at St George’s Park and is still a couple of weeks away from featuring in the match day squad.