DEFENDER Paul Cochlin will make an emotional return for Newport County in Wednesday night's Gwent Senior Cup clash with Cwmbran Celtic at Cwmbran Stadium.

24-year old Cochlin will be one of the Exiles substitutes and is set to get at least 20 minutes of match action.

It will be the first time the giant defender has played football since suffering a career threatening injury nine and a half months ago.

Cochlin was stretchered off on December 9, 2006 after landing awkwardly making a challenge in a Conference South victory over Yeading at Spytty Park.

Cochlin has undergone numerous operations and a huge rehabilitation process in order to return at all.

He needed surgery to repair and re-attach a torn lateral ligament in his knee and a ruptured hamstring tendon.

The list doesn't end there, Cochlin has also recovered from a ruptured ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his knee), crushed cartilage around his hamstring and an abrasion of the tibia bone which required a bone graft.

It goes without saying that these injuries could easily have ended Cochlin's career and boss Peter Beadle is thrilled to have to six foot four central defender on the comeback trail.

He explained: "Paul has had a brilliant attitude towards his rehabilitation and is itching to get back involved.

"I will play him on Wednesday and I am sure it's a big moment for him.

"When you get serious injuries like this you wonder if you will play again and I am absolutely delighted by the progress he has made."

Cochlin is a popular member of the County squad and his return is being warmly received by everyone in the ranks.

"Paul is a smashing lad and the players have all been there for him in his recovery," Beadle said.

"I am sure a lot of our supporters will want to be at Cwmbran Stadium on Wednesday to welcome him back."

Beadle will once again use the Gwent Senior Cup to give game time to those first team players he feels will benefit.

Shane Brewer, Lee Fowler, Sam O'Sullivan and Craig Hughes will all start and James Simpson will also play if he overcomes a slight injury.

The rest of the squad will be made up by youth players.

County were drawn at home to Merthyr Tydfil in the FA Youth Cup. However, Newport City Council have not given the Exiles permission to play the tie at Spytty Park and the match has therefore been switched to Merthyr.

The match will now be played at Penydarren Park tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).