NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is pleased to have some difficult decisions to make ahead of tomorrow’s League Two clash at Swindon Town.

Flynn made seven changes for Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy tie at Cheltenham Town and, despite going down 7-6 on penalties, he was happy with the performance.

Tyler Forbes and Joss Labadie returned from injury at Whaddon Road and the likes of Robbie Willmott, Matty Dolan and Keanu Marsh-Brown could be in contention to feature at the County Ground tomorrow.

It’s a welcome boost for Flynn ahead of a tough December fixture list.

After Swindon, his side face an FA Cup replay against Wrexham on Tuesday before they take on League Two’s top two – MK Dons and Lincoln City – in successive weeks before Christmas.

“It’s been a positive week on the injury front,” said the Exiles boss.

“With the performance the other night and a few coming back as well it gives me options.

“It might allow me to change formations. We’ve had our hands tied [in recent weeks] but now we want to be able to change things when needed.

“I’ve had a goalkeeper and three young ones on the bench so really you’re only looking at three subs who I can put on.

“Sometimes we’ve only had six on the bench and only two subs who can come on and really make a difference. It will be good to have a strong bench.”

Forbes’ return to fitness will allow 35-year-old David Pipe a breather at some point.

“David will tell you he could play four games a week but he will have a dip in his performances if we keep over-using him,” said Flynn.

“We’ve got to make sure that we give him a break when he needs it. And it’s the same for others as well.”

Labadie, who had been out since March with an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury, got 20 minutes at Whaddon Road and could feature off the bench again this weekend.

“He’s ticked another box and he’ll be involved again but we’ve just got to keep being sensible and realistic with him,” said the manager.

“After the adrenaline wears out, I don’t think he’s going to last more than half an hour so we need to build it up [gradually].

“But he’s worked his socks off and I’m looking forward to having him back [fully] fit.”

Marsh-Brown, whose season has been blighted by injury problems, is another one who Flynn hopes to have available soon.

“He’s a lot closer now,” he said. “He needs to get his season up and going because it’s been very frustrating, not just for him but for me as well.

“I don’t like seeing him on the treatment table but he’s very close.”

County are fourth in the table after 20 games and a repeat of last season's win at the County Ground could see them climb back into the automatic promotion places, but Flynn is not looking too far ahead.

“It’s been a really good start and the boys deserve a lot of credit, but it means nothing,” he said.

“It doesn’t mean anything until you get to the business end of the season.

“We’ve got a tough set of eight games now and we’ve got to be at full strength and on our game.

“We’ve got Swindon, Wrexham, MK Dons, Lincoln, Forest Green. They’re all tough games but we go out to win every game and hopefully we’ll do that for the majority of the season.

“I’m quite happy to go under the radar,” he added. “I just hope we keep it going for the fans and for the players because with all the hard work they’ve put in they deserve something at the end of it.

“There’s a lot of hard work still to do and hopefully we’re up to it.”

Tomorrow's match is no longer all-ticket, meaning fans will be able to pay using cash and cards at the away turnstiles in the Arkells Stand.

Swindon have advised all travelling supporters to arrive in good time to prevent lengthy queues.