NEWPORT County’s management team have paid tribute to striker Rene Howe following his remarkable comeback.

The striker ruptured a thigh muscle in training in August and boss Justin Edinburgh instantly indicated he didn’t expect the former Burton front man to feature again this term.

"It looks like Rene's season is over which is a real big blow to us," Edinburgh said at the time.

"When we do get an injury we seem to get a major one so it's a huge disappointment for the lad and the football club. It's going to be a fair while before Rene's back in action."

However, Howe returned to full training earlier this month and played 40 minutes for the Exiles in a behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek, even scoring with a penalty.

James has worked extensively with Howe and believes the player himself, rather than the County staff including physio Adam Roche, deserves the main credit for his rapid return.

“Rene was in fantastic shape in pre-season and worked as hard as anyone to be at optimal fitness,” James told the Argus.

“The injury was a huge set-back for him and it’s a credit to Adam Roche our physio who really did his homework, in getting Rene back so quickly.

“But ultimately, the main credit is for Rene. He has worked unbelievably hard on his rehab and it has paid off for him. We feared he would be out until the summer and he’s back in December. He’s done remarkably really.”

Edinburgh added to the sentiment.

“We give Rene unbelievable credit, I was sure his season was over, based on Jamie Stephens having the same injury last year,” he said.

“But he’s busted a gut to get back and I don’t think we can underestimate what a huge boost it gives us, to welcome back a player of his quality.”

Edinburgh is also confident that County will be able to announce positive news about goalkeeper Joe Day sooner rather than later.

The Exiles are desperate to secure the Peterborough goalkeeper on a permanent deal after he impressed during a three-month loan spell.

“We would hope to have work on that soon, we are very, very close I believe,” Edinburgh confirmed before joking that he has “already said that last week. It’s been a long 48 hours.”

The Exiles begin their busy Christmas period on Saturday at home to Stevenage and James, who has led the players on a mini pre-season over the past fortnight without a game, is expecting the squad to cope well as the contests come thick and fast.

“This is certainly the time of the season when you need as many people fit and firing as possible because of the amount of games,” he said. “Thankfully, other than Robbie Willmott who is out long-term, we are currently; touch wood, looking pretty good on the injury front.

“The players have worked hard in the past two weeks, but we’ve also been careful with them and listened to the sports scientists and feel we’ve got the balance spot on.”

James is an extremely positive presence at the Exiles, but admits he can only come up with words of frustration and sadness when talking about his former club, Hereford United.

The Bulls have been banned from all football activities and are set to contest a winding up order, though that process has been delayed eight times already.

“What has happened at Hereford is disgusting,” said James, who played for the Bulls for ten-years over two spells, making over 300 appearances and who still lives in the area.

“It seems like the people who care about the club are just told nothing but lies and it’s very hard, even for someone living in the area, to know what is truly going on. It’s horrible. I wish I could say more positive things.

“It seems like this situation is just a constant, constant battle and whatever is going to happen, I think the fans just want and deserve real answers. How much more can they suffer?”