NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher believes Saturday’s win over Torquay United showed the real potential of his side after the dismal defeat at Bath City.

Butcher was full of praise for two-goal striker Scott Boden, main creative force Medy Elito and midfield pocket rockets Mark Byrne and Lewis Bamford.

And he insists there is more to come with six players – Danny Holmes, Nathan Ralph, Kevin Feely, Yan Klukowski, Alex Rodman and Andrew Hughes – still out injured.

“I thought Medy was outstanding and obviously Scott was as well,” said Butcher.

“Medy is very much a creator but he can score too, which we haven’t seen yet.

“And Scott is a clever player. I love players to play in that position where he can go and link or play in behind.

“Scott is desperate to play. He’s sacrificed a fair bit to come here and he’s scored two goals on his debut only half fit so that’s not bad.

“The two in midfield – Mark Byrne and little Lewi Bamford who is only 17 – were tigers in there too,” he added.

“They were dwarfed by much bigger men but they more than held their own.”

Left-back Scott Barrow opened the scoring in the third minute before Boden’s double cancelled out Angus McDonald’s leveller for the hosts.

“It was a good solid performance and some of the football we played was good too so it bodes well,” said Butcher.

“It’s our fourth game and we haven’t really got that understanding yet that we’d like.

“That will come but on the basis of today it’s encouraging and exciting to see this team play.

“We haven’t got that big a squad but we have got quality and some good competition for places.

“We’re getting there slowly but surely and if you have performances like this then that can really help the team.”

There is good news on the injury front with Feely, Rodman, Klukowski and Holmes all close to a return.

“Kevin is chomping at the bit and hopefully he should be in full training this week and Alex Rodman and big Yan as well,” said Butcher.

“Danny Holmes has had a scan and it’s not as bad as we thought it would be.

“He’s got tendonitis in his knee so we’ll have to manage that well but he’ll be back pretty soon too.”

Monday is D-Day for trialists Branimir Kostadinov, who played 81 minutes on Saturday, and Dave Vincent, who was an unused substitute.

Elliot Scotcher is no longer under consideration but Bulgarian forward Kostadinov and Welsh defender Vincent are set to find out if they’ve done enough to earn a contract tomorrow.

“Elliot isn’t part of our plans anymore and we’ll decide on the other two on Monday,” Butcher told the Argus ahead of Tuesday’s friendly at Eastleigh.