TERRY Butcher knows his future as Newport County AFC boss is not in his own hands but he insists Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge shows his side is improving, writes Andrew Penman.

County’s first clean sheet of the season saw them double their points tally but they remain bottom of League Two and without a win in eight games.

The Exiles are now four points from safety but Butcher says a battling display against the 23rd-place Daggers shows there is more to come from his side.

Asked if he’ll be given the time to guide County off the bottom he said: “That’s not my decision but there’s a new board coming in soon and we’ve had discussions with them.

“It’s never up to me whether I stay at a football club and any manager is the same – whether it’s Jose Mourinho or myself.

“It’s not in my hands but all I can do is do my very best to make the team the best it can be.

“We are getting stronger and we are getting players who can do a job for us and the more games we play the better we’ll get, as I’ve said all along.”

Butcher was delighted to welcome back defender Matt Taylor to the bench on Saturday and is confident of landing at least one loan target this week.

“It was great to see the old soldier Matt Taylor back on the bench – he was the fittest of the injured players,” said the Exiles boss.

“It’s great because it’s been a long time since he was in the changing room.

“He’s got great experience and he talks well. It’s good to have him around the lads.

“His presence was a boost because he’s a good leader and the boys love him.

“He’s not the captain because Mark Byrne is the captain but he is a captain in many ways and we’re delighted to have him back.

“As for next week we’ll wait and see how he does this week but the three at the back did well and it’s great for confidence to get a clean sheet.”

Strikers Lenell John-Lewis, Zak Ansah and Scott Boden should also be available for next week’s trip to Carlisle United.