Cwmbran Celtic v Newport County

Gwent Senior Cup. Cwmbran Stadium. KO 7.30pm

NEWPORT County's Paul Cochlin has praised the fans and manager Peter Beadle for helping him through his injury nightmare.

The central defender will come off the bench to play some part in tonight's Gwent Senior Cup clash with Cwmbran Celtic at Cwmbran Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm) and he can't wait to pull on a County shirt for the first time in ten months.

"It will be amazing to finally get back on the pitch," said Cochlin. "It's been a really frustrating year. Having to watch the lads just miss out on the play-offs last season and not being able to do anything about it was really difficult."

Cochlin's travails started in July 2006 when he fractured his cheekbone. After just eight games back in the team he twisted his knee against Yeading in December last year, suffering a torn lateral ligament in his knee, a ruptured hamstring tendon and a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Cochlin said: "I knew it was bad as soon as I did it, my knee was completely twisted and my leg was bent in the wrong direction. Luckily we had a doctor on hand and I was taken care of but it's definitely been the worst year of my career, and I'm only 24."

Despite warnings that his playing days could be over, Cochlin never gave up hope of a return to action and he's delighted to finally get his chance.

"I always stayed positive," he added. "I've had so much support from the gaffer and he hasn't rushed me back because I've been training with the lads for quite a while now.

"I think I'm back to full fitness and it's just about getting in the right mental state to play. The way I look at the injury is that it was a freak accident and I'll just try to put it behind me.

"As well as the gaffer and the lads, the fans have been brilliant too. At every home game they've been coming up to me and asking how I am. That's been really encouraging to know that they haven't forgotten about me and now I'm looking to get myself back in the frame.

"The squad has definitely improved since I last played and there's great competition for places now. I know I can't just walk back into the side but I'm not here to make the numbers up. I want to play a big part in our promotion push."

Peter Beadle is expected to field a mixture of fringe and youth players tonight but Shane Brewer, Lee Fowler, Sam O'Sullivan and Craig Hughes are all likely to start.