NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley has praised defender Dan Butler for bouncing back from “heavy criticism” to stake a claim for a recall to the starting XI.

Butler has not started for the Exiles since the home defeat to Stevenage on December 6, with Westley preferring to use winger Jennison Myrie-Williams at left-back.

Captain Scot Bennet was moved to left-back at Stevenage on Saturday, with Myrie-Williams back on the left of midfield.

But an early injury to Myrie-Williams saw Butler called into action after just three minutes and he put in an impressive display in midfield, despite conceding a penalty.

The 22-year-old even scored a late consolation goal in the 3-1 defeat. “I think Jennison twisted his ankle, how bad it is I don’t know,” said Westley after the match.

“It was a one-for-one change and Butler was excellent after he came off the bench, I thought.

“His defensive quality was much-improved on where it’s been previously.

“He’s such a hard-working boy and he’s taken some heavy criticism but he’s shown great professionalism in his reaction to that criticism.

“He showed how hard he’s been working behind the scenes and I was delighted with some of what he did in our box and equally delighted that he was the player who popped up to score the goal.

“The penalty was a difficult decision,” he added. “The linesman said to the boys ‘it wasn’t a penalty but he’d made his decision by the time I got my communication to him'.

“It looked soft from where I was and if it was as soft as the boys say then that’s unfortunate.”

Westley also defended goalkeeper Joe Day, whose error led to the second Stevenage goal.

“We’re talking about the error, we’re not talking about the couple of great saves he made,” said the Exiles boss.

“A goalkeeper can make the difference and I don’t want to put the onus on one mistake. Lots of players made mistakes on the afternoon.”

The manager was pleased with the impact made by substitute strikers Marlon Jackson and Craig Reid at the Lamex Stadium.

“Reidy linked a lot of good play when he came on and Jackson was a handful so it was good to see that players in the 18 aren’t feeling sorry for themselves,” he said.

“They got the bit between their teeth and wanted to make an impact and show what they’re all about.”

Midfielder Josh Sheehan missed the match through injury.

“He tested himself before the game and didn’t quite feel right, said Westley.

“He’s got a deep gash in his ankle and I’m hoping that he should be OK for next weekend.”