EXETER City are on red alert for in-form Newport County AFC midfielder Robbie Willmott after he revitalised himself with a spell in Devon.

The 31-year-old will return to St James Park with the Exiles after spending the second half of last season as a Grecian.

Willmott made 17 appearances for Exeter and said that they had given him “a new lease of life” after a frustrating start to the campaign in Newport.

However, the versatile midfielder didn’t agree a permanent move and instead signed a new deal with County.

Willmott has mainly been a winger in his career but has thrived as one of the three midfielders in a 3-5-2, starting in 10 of 11 League Two fixtures.

South Wales Argus: INFLUENTIAL: Robbie WillmottINFLUENTIAL: Robbie Willmott

“I think it's a fair comment to say that Robbie has been their best player this season,” said Exeter manager Matt Taylor.

“He played well for us on loan and affected the group in a positive way. He re-signed in Newport and been given a slightly freer role with a little bit more responsibility and he has really taken to it.

“I watched him live at Harrogate and we've watched a lot of footage and he seems to be at the heart of everything good that they do. He is certainly one to be aware of.”

County will also hope that targetman Alex Fisher can cause his old teammates problems.

The 31-year-old was released by the Grecians in the summer and earned an Exiles contract after spending pre-season on trial.

Fisher scored the winner at Tranmere, provided assists against Barrow and Scunthorpe then slammed home a goal in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to Arsenal U21s in the EFL Trophy.

“’Fish’ will be as honest as the day is long at the top end of the pitch, he will contribute to any team,” said Taylor.

The game at St James Park will be the third league game with caretaker boss Wayne Hatswell in charge of County following the sudden departure of Michael Flynn.

They beat Scunthorpe United 3-0 and then had the better of Bradford in a 0-0 draw, performances that Taylor believes show nothing has changed while the Exiles hunt a new permanent manager.

"Wayne has been there a long time alongside the previous manager so I don’t think their principles or habits will change too much,” said the Exeter manager.

“We have seen that with their recent games so I don’t expect too much change and he has done a good job.

“It's always a closely contested fixture, one that's as close to a local game as we can get, and hopefully there will be a strong contingent of away fans coming down and in good voice and that ours will be the same.”

Last season County scrambled a late 1-1 draw against nine-man Exeter at home in February thanks to Dom Telford’s header with two minutes to go. The play-off rivals met in the run-in at it ended 0-0 with the Exiles having the better chances.