Bryn Morris a doubt for Newport County opener at Cheltenham

The midfielder started in 56 of 57 games in all competitions last season, with the exception the EFL Trophy win at Whaddon Road when he came on at half-time.

However, the 28-year-old has not featured in pre-season since the second friendly at Pontypridd because of a tendon issue in his leg.

Morris is back in training and will be assessed ahead of Cheltenham, but County won’t be taking any risks.

A starting role certainly looks unlikely for the former Grimsby man, who scored eight goals in a terrific first season in Newport.

INFLUENTIAL: County midfielder Bryn Morris (Image: Geraint Nicholas/Huw Evans Agency)

“Bryn is working hard and wants to make sure he back to competition as soon as possible,” said head coach Nelson Jardim. “He will be assessed on Friday and Saturday, so let’s see how he goes.

“He is another important player that we need as soon as possible, but we are just making sure when he comes back it's at 200 per cent and he is fit for the whole season.

“We don't want to take any risks and for him to play one game, then be out for another four or five.”

County have played in iterations of 4-3-3 in pre-season and of late have deployed summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday Ciaran Brennan, a centre-back by trade, as a sitting midfielder.

Aaron Wildig looks nailed-on to be a starter in the trio with new boys Cameron Antwi and Kai Whitmore the other leading options along with versatile Shane McLoughlin, who is likely to start at right-back, and teenager Jac Norris.