ROBBIE Willmott has made a rapid recovery to boost Newport County AFC’s League Two promotion bid.

The midfielder limped off after suffering an injury to his lower left leg in the win over Tranmere Rovers at the end of February and it was feared that he would be out of action until April.

However, the 31-year-old is back in the mix for tomorrow night’s clash with Hartlepool at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.45pm) after missing just four games to add to manager James Rowberry’s options.

"He has had a very good rehab programme and the physios have got him back quicker than we thought,” said the boss.

Midfielder Ollie Cooper is “50/50” after missing the last two games while Jake Cain remains a doubt after being forced off with a rib problem at Stevenage last weekend.

County will leave a decision on central defender James Clarke until the last minute after he went off in the second half of the 2-1 win at Carlisle on Tuesday.

“He is touch and go and it will be a last minute one. I am hoping he will be okay but we will have to play it by ear and I will know on Friday morning,” said Rowberry.

If Clarke doesn't get the green light then Cameron Norman is likely to move inside to partner Mickey Demetriou in the middle with Aaron Lewis starting at right-back.

League Two top scorer Dom Telford, who struck at the death in the November win in Hartlepool, will start up front after being taken off for the last half hour of the midweek win in Cumbria.

"Dom has played a lot of games and has had such an unbelievable season," said Rowberry about his 25-goal forward.

"We just felt he needed a little bit of a rest to freshen him up to go again.

"That's us managing the group, there was nothing wrong with Dom's performance at all."