DEFENDER Jamie Turley has further boosted the feel-good factor at Newport County AFC by returning to fitness after seven months out.

The 27-year-old has not played since the defeat at Doncaster Rovers in September and underwent knee surgery in November.

And, after returning to training in recent weeks, he finally made it back out onto the pitch on Tuesday afternoon.

Turley played the first 35 minutes as the Exiles reserves faced Exeter City in the Central League at Newport’s Dragon Park.

Afterwards the centre-back, who can also play at right-back, told his Twitter followers: “So good to be back out on that pitch today, it's been a long seven months. Glad to be able to put this injury behind me now.”

Turley is unlikely to feature at Carlisle United this weekend as County go in search of a win that could secure their League Two status.

But, if Michael Flynn’s team do complete the Great Escape this weekend, the former Forest Green Rovers and Eastleigh man could be in line for a cameo in the final game of the season at home to Notts County on May 6.

That would be a sweet end to what has been a bitterly disappointing season for Turley.

“The operation was inevitable, it was always going to happen, so I was glad I got it out of the way when I did,” he told the Argus last month.

“I had the operation in November although we tried something before – shockwave therapy – but it didn’t work, it wasn’t getting to the blood vessels in the tendon.

“After the operation, it’s just been about increasing the load that I’m putting through my knee and the tendon.

“It’s a slow process and I was always told it was going to be at least four months.

“Rehab has been stressful, of course, but I can see the finish line now.

“I’ll be back training at the end of the month and then hopefully I can try and squeeze a game in before the end of the season and help the boys. I know I can help when I’m fit.

“I do my talking on the pitch and my focus is just on getting back to help the team.”

Around 100 Exiles fans are expected to make the long trip to Cumbria this weekend.

The final match of the season against Notts County (kick-off 5.30pm) will be an all-ticket match due to an expected large attendance and on the advice of the Gwent Police. 

No tickets will be on sale after midday on May 6 (either online or at the ticket office) and fans will not be able to purchase tickets at the gate.  

The ticket office will be open from midday May 6 but will be operating for collection only.

Ticket Office opening hours will be changing for the final week of the season, to give fans every opportunity to purchase tickets ahead of the match.

The revised opening hours are:

  • Monday, May 1 – 10am to 3pm (Bank Holiday) 
  • Tuesday, May 2 – 10am to 3pm 
  • Wednesday, May 3 – 10am to 3pm 
  • Thursday, May 4 – 10am to 7pm 
  • Friday, May 5 – 10am to 7pm 
  • Saturday, May 6 – 9am to midday 
  • Saturday, May 6 - midday to 5.30pm (collection only)

The club recommends that supporters purchase tickets online and select the ‘print at home’ option or purchase and collect tickets "at their earliest possible convenience to avoid disappointment."