NEWPORT County AFC defender Andrew Hughes is a big step closer to playing for the Exiles again after receiving the go-ahead to return to action from the medical experts.

Hughes, County’s longest serving player, has not played since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December last year.

But he has been training with the first team for several weeks and was today given the all-clear to play by specialists in London.

Hughes tweeted earlier today: “In London for my final knee check up…hoping to get the all clear and that I'll be back playing games in no time.”

And he later added: “Buzzing to finally get the all clear to start playing again.

“Thank you to the people who've helped and stuck by me – you know who you are.

“Time to get back to business and get on that pitch where I belong.”

It is good news for new manager John Sheridan who is also hoping to have Nathan Ralph available before too long.

The new Exiles boss told the Argus on Thursday: “Hughesy has his assessment and then should be available to play games and Nathan Ralph has joined in with a bit of ball work, so he’s not far away either.”