DEFENDER Scot Bennett could return to the starting XI for Saturday’s crucial clash at Carlisle United after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Bennett limped off as Newport County AFC were beaten 6-1 at Plymouth Argyle on Easter Monday and missed last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Accrington Stanley.

But the former captain’s injury was not as bad as first thought and caretaker manager Michael Flynn is hopeful that he will be fit to play at Brunton Park as County aim to secure their League Two status.

A win over play-off chasing Carlisle, coupled with Hartlepool United failing to beat Cheltenham Town, would see Flynn’s men complete the Great Escape.

“We’re hoping to have Scot Bennett back,” said Flynn. “We maybe could have risked him last week but it wasn’t worth it. I wouldn’t risk his health just for one game.

“You’ve got to look at the bigger picture and thankfully we should have him for the last two games of the season now.

“Mitch Rose, Ben Tozer and Lenell John-Lewis are the only ones missing now,” he added.

“Mitch has got a bit of swelling on his medial ligaments. It’s better news than we were thinking but we can’t put a timeframe on it.

“It may be the middle of next week or it might be his season done.

“He did it in training. The tempo has been fantastic – they’ve been going at it 100 per cent full pelt and he landed awkwardly.”

South Wales Argus:

Defender Jamie Turley (above with Bennett) returned from seven months out with a knee injury as he played 35 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday but he will not be included tomorrow.

“He definitely won’t feature on Saturday but if we’re safe after Saturday I’ll have a little look at how I can get players who haven’t played some minutes,” explained Flynn.

“We’re all in it together and I want to be fair on the players.

“It’s not nice when you’re telling players their not in the squad but I’ve had it said to me many times and I’ve got no problem with doing it.”

Safe or not when they host Notts County on May 6, Flynn is unlikely to pull his own boots on again this season.

“It’s not about me,” said the Exiles boss. “I’d rather give the players a chance and put them in the shop window.

“There will be players trying to catch my eye and I think that’s the right thing to do.

“If it’s a penalty I might run on and take it!

“But it’s not about me, it’s about Newport County staying in the league and these players who have given me everything, and that’s including the boys who haven’t been in the squad.”