NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh admits the clubs injury woes have pushed them to the limit, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Exiles have had a treatment room busier than the training pitch at times this season and their problems only increased at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Defender Ismail Yakubu who had been declared ready to return from a hip problem, failed a late fitness test and Newport suffered two further injuries.

Striker Conor Washington was taken off with a bang to the head and defender Ryan Jackson suffered a deep cut in his ankle.

However, with the blessing of a rare game-free midweek, Edinburgh is hopeful the trio will be available for the weekend clash with AFC Wimbledon.

“It’s a great thing for us, I don’t normally say it, but we can really do with the midweek without a game, I need to give my players some rest,” he said.

“I have to be honest and say that the situation with the injuries has become a bit of a nightmare for us.

“It’s been really, really tough. We lost Ismail (Yakubu) just before the game, we lost Conor (Washington) during it and really, Ryan (Jackson) should have come off as well.

“Ryan stayed on because he was playing so well and he’s a brave boy, but it was a deep cut he suffered and it needed stitches.

“Ismail was so close, he trained all week, but it just blew up again and was very sore on the day of the game.

“We’ve seen Andrew Hughes suffer tightness with his hamstring again as well and obviously with Conor we’ve had to be cautious because it’s a head injury.

“It’s becoming a problem.”

Edinburgh, however, was thrilled that his side managed to record only their second League Two win in front of a crowd of over 15000 at Fratton Park.

“We have developed a habit of performing well in games where there is a big crowd and high intensity and high pressure and that’s obviously very pleasing,” he said.

“The players put in fantastic performances on Saturday and they really grew into the occasion as the match wore on.

“By the time we got the goals we had a good control of the game and it was a very satisfying victory and very hard-fought.”

However, Edinburgh is convinced his side have been unlucky on the road this season.

“It’s only a second league win away, but I think in some of the away draws we’ve had, we’ve been every bit as good as we play at Rodney Parade, if not slightly better,” he explained.

“We are confident away from home and at the moment we are unbeaten in nine league games and it’s a very positive place to be.”