DEFENDER Tony James has boosted the Exiles by shrugging off a knee injury in time to feature in tonight’s clash with Ebbsfleet, but boss Justin Edinburgh could still spring a surprise or two with his line-up.

County can consolidate their position at the top of the Conference with a win over the strugglers and are strengthened by the chance to once again pair in-form duo James and Yakubu.

It had been thought James would miss a couple of weeks after coming off in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Tamworth, but Edinburgh is happy to report he’s recovered.

“Tony was able to train yesterday and came through fine, his injury wasn’t as serious as we thought and the swelling has gone,” he said.

“He’s fit and in fact, everyone apart from Alan Julian trained yesterday so we are looking at full strength.

“But that doesn’t mean it will necessarily be the same team.
“I see the boys every day and sometimes I can see that a player needs to come in or drop out for a game or two.

We have a squad with everyone desperate to play and that’s how we like it. You’ve seen it recently with Ben Swallow.

"His attitude has been first class and even though he didn’t feature for the first half a dozen games, it was right to introduce him.”

Midfielder Lee Evans is also back in contention after injury with the likes of Mike Flynn, Ryan Charles, Jake Harris and Jefferson Louis all pushing for a start after missing out in recent weeks and new signing Conor Washington also available.

The Exiles boss is also happy with the Exiles’ draw in the FA Cup, County travelling to Yate Town on October 20 in the fourth qualifying round.

A few all Conference clashes are the pick of the draw and Edinburgh admitted he was happy to face a lower ranked side in a competition he is treating with the utmost importance.

“We are pleased, it’s not being disrespectful to Yate but we’d rather play them than a Conference side,” he said.

“But it’s only a good tie if we do a professional job and win the game.

“We badly want a good cup run and hopefully this gives us every chance.”