NEWPORT County AFC midfielder Lee Minshull is in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of tonight’s League Two clash with Hartlepool United, writes Andrew Penman.

The 28-year-old declared himself fit to play in Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Portsmouth but aggravated his foot injury after coming on as a substitute.

Adam Chapman returns from suspension and could slot into the midfield three alongside Mike Flynn and Tom Naylor but Minshull is hopeful of playing some part.

“I came off at Fleetwood with a sore foot and went for the X-rays and they showed that it was just badly bruised,” he said.

“I came back Tuesday and it’s a bit sore again but hopefully I’ll be OK.”

Minshull knows that tonight’s visitors are a step up in class from struggling Pompey on current form but he says the Exiles don’t fear anyone.

“Hartlepool will be a good test for us because they’re on a great run but we always go into games thinking we can get points,” he said.

“Our home form has been very good. We’ve been really positive and scored a lot of goals and we kept a clean sheet the other night as well.

“The crowds have been good since the first day of the season and the atmosphere is always good to play in.

“Rodney Parade is an intimidating place to come and when we start with the intensity and pace we did against Portsmouth there aren’t too many teams who can live with us.

“It’s nice to have evening games,” he added. “We haven’t had too many this season but there is something extra special about them.

“Playing tonight is only an advantage if we win but if we can get three points on the board it will look good in the morning.”

Minshull is happy with the way the season is panning out for County with a JPT semi-final to come in early December and Tuesday’s FA Cup replay with Braintree Town.

“We’re going well in the league and we’re only a couple of games away from Wembley again in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, which is obviously exciting,” he said.

“We’ve had a good run in the League Cup and we’re still in the FA Cup as well so things are going well.

“Tuesday is another important game because we were knocked out at the first hurdle last year and we really want a run in the FA Cup.

“If we can get past Braintree and Kidderminster it would be great to get a big team down to Rodney Parade.”