NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh is thrilled to have Rene Howe available for selection tomorow afternoon at Accrington, writes Michael Pearlman.

The striker is poised to make his debut for the Exiles as Newport bid to bounce back after two defeats on the spin, at Burton and at home to Northampton.

Newport’s forwards have been struggling for goals recently and Howe is likely to start following his free transfer move from Burton Albion on Thursday.

“Rene brings us goals, I’ve worked with him, know his strengths and weaknesses, it’s a plus in any working environment to have that relationship,” Edinburgh told the Argus.

“I know how to manage him; I know his character is right for the dressing room, we are very happy to have him in the squad.”

And Edinburgh admits Howe might be his only signing this winter.

“I am hoping we will not have to do any more business if I am honest,” he said.

“That is dependent on the injured players coming back but we are very hopeful of that, as you know, I am not in the habit of overloading it and getting too many players.”

However, Edinburgh has drawn up a hit list of targets just in case.

“We have plans in place and people in mind, you don’t know what is around the corner a lot of the time and we’ve had terrible troubles with injuries this season, so you are cautious,” he explained.

“Why we’ve had so many injuries, it is tough to say. It’s the same training, same venue, same intensity and same pre-season and you wonder why we’ve had such problems.

“But we’re in a great position and I tip my hat to the players, they’ve played a lot of games and put us in a great position.”

Edinburgh is confident his players will respond today

“We are looking for a response after back-to-back defeats, you always look for that.

“I don’t fault the effort and application of the players, we weren’t clinical enough to dispatch them, but if the performances are right I’ve no doubt the results will come along as well.”

Edinburgh has mixed news on the injury front with one defender returning and one facing a late fitness examination, though there is better new regarding his goalkeepers.

“Andrew Hughes has returned to the squad after training all week, but Harry Worley is a doubt with a back strain,” Edinburgh said. Worley will however, travelled with the squad who will stay overnight in Preston.

“Lenny Pidgeley is ok, he’s training, not having any midweek games is a bonus and he’s doing fine, he’s had a splint made from a specialist and he’ll be fine to play.

“And Jamie Stephens is only a little while away, probably no more than a week.”