TWO new arrivals at Rodney Parade this week mean Newport County AFC manager Terry Butcher has some selection headaches for the first time since the opening day of the season.

Striker Zak Ansah and midfielder Josh Laurent signed on loan this week from Charlton Athletic and Brentford respectively and both could start against Leyton Orient tomorrow afternoon, subject to international clearance.

And Butcher, who had three teenagers in his starting XI at Hartlepool on Tuesday and six on the bench, says the new signings will give him the option to shake things up.

“It gives us good options, which we haven’t had before,” said the Exiles boss.

“We’re not expecting any of the injured players back but with two additions to the squad I’ve got a glut of players now!

“I’ve got a few more dice to roll and see what team we’re going to play.

“We looked at the game on Tuesday and we’ve got Aaron Collins up front but if he gets hurt, with Lenell John-Lewis and Alex Rodman already out, then who would play up front then?

“We are very short in that area and we always knew we were going to get loans in, perhaps not quite so young – but the money’s gone and we’re delighted that Brentford and Charlton have let us have their players.

“In the midfield department we’ve got big Yan and the skipper Mark Byrne and not a lot of other cover there,” he added.

“We needed someone to come in and add to the competition in midfield.

“All our supporters have been telling me, and they’re quite right, that we need more bodies down the spine of the team and that’s another one in place.”

With two new signings and injured players set to return over the coming weeks and months, Butcher is excited about the potential of his squad.

“When you look at the players we’ve got to come back from injury, allied with the new additions, the squad is evolving,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to everybody coming back. Matt Taylor will hopefully be back in training next week and that will be a big boost.

“Nathan Ralph is still a week or two away,” he added. “When you look at how he played at left wing-back against QPR the shape of the system suits him well and I’ll be excited to see him back.”