NEWPORT County star Jason Bowen is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee ligament injury and could even come into contention for a place on the bench for Saturday's Nationwide South trip to Lewes.

The mercurial winger has been out since suffering knee damage in the 1-1 draw at Maidenhead, the second game of the season and the side has gone on to lose all four matches since, his absence being a major factor.

But he has resumed running in training and has even managed some ball work ahead of Saturday's crucial clash.

"Jason might just be able to be in contention for a place on Saturday," said County physio John Fitzpatrick. "He is making good progress and is probably ahead of schedule.

"If he doesn't make that one I would stick the mortgage on him being back for the Weymouth match the following week.

"Jason is an experienced lad, who looks after himself, and he has had this type of injury in the past and knows exactly what to do to get over it."

Meanwhile, the good news of Bowen's impending comeback has been tempered by the blow that defender Ian Hillier is a major doubt for the Lewes trip.

Hillier hobbled off after less than five minutes in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to Histon after coming off worst in a 50-50 challenge.

"Ian has damaged his lateral ankle ligament and is very doubtful for Saturday," Fitzpatrick said.

"He is off crutches now and taking anti-inflammatories but it will be later in the week before we can do a full assessment when the swelling is a bit reduced."

With Hillier out, County may look to use Ashley Williams in the right wing-back role after he came off the bench on Sunday and turned in a decent performance both in defence and going forward.

County will be under pressure to end their four match losing streak but will be boosted by the return of striker Cortez Belle and goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan.

Both missed Sunday's defeat due to suspension but will go straight back into the line-up this weekend.

"We are going through a tough spell but we need to work extra hard to get out of it," said manager John Cornforth. "Losing Hillier will be a sore one but hopefully we will have Bowen back soon."