NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney says Saturday’s comeback shows his players are now fitter and stronger than they were at the start of the season.

County came back from 2-0 down to earn a point against fellow strugglers Dagenham & Redbridge thanks to late goals from debutants John-Christophe Ayina and Conor Wilkinson at Rodney Parade.

And they must recover quickly as they travel to Leyton Orient for their next League Two test tomorrow night.

But Feeney, who replaced John Sheridan as Exiles boss earlier this month, says the team is now much fitter than they were under Terry Butcher in August and September.

“I think their fitness levels have improved and I think that was a big thing when John came in [in October],” said Feeney.

“That’s no disrespect to the previous manager before John but I thought they weren’t fit enough.”

And he says Saturday’s goals in the 83rd and 88th minutes proves his point, even though he was disappointed with the way his side conceded twice in the opening six minutes against the Daggers.

“I think by the end we proved it – there was only one team going to win it,” he said.

“But I want clean sheets. Clean sheets win football games and we can’t be giving teams two-goal starts like we did.”

While Ayina and Wilkinson grabbed the headlines with goals, Feeney has backed fellow new arrival Deane Smalley to make a big impact.

The forward, on loan from Plymouth Argyle until the end of the season, has recently recovered from a serious knee injury.

He was replaced after 58 minutes on Saturday having played much of the match in a wide left role.

“I was pleased with the new boys,” said Feeney.

“Deane Smalley got his first 60 minutes. And Deane’s a striker but he’s played that role and he will get better, I’ve no doubt.”

Smalley and Wilkinson took the Exiles loan tally to six and only five can play in any one game.

“Little Connor Dymond was left out with the six loanees but he’s been fantastic for me and I said to him he could be in next game,” said Feeney.

Medy Elito, who suffered a nasty leg injury against Blackburn Rovers last week, could return tomorrow but defenders Janoi Donacien and Matt Partridge are doubtful.

“Janoi was holding his hamstring when he came off and we’ll assess him in the next two days,” said the manager on Saturday.

“Matty Partridge has tight peroneals [leg muscles]. He has done a little bit of running but we’ll see how he is.

“Medy was in contention but, if he gets a bang on it, it could open up on him so we had to be careful with it.

“If it was me I would have played but with the games coming Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday we gave him the extra couple of days.

“He’s in contention for Tuesday definitely.”