BUBBLY midfielder Ryan Ashington will return to Newport County next season eager to prove his true ability.

Ashington became a favourite of the Exiles fans after his switch to Newport Stadium from Division Three Torquay before Christmas.

But his season was cut short in March when he was struck down with glandular fever, which forced him to miss County's end-of-season run-in and their FAW Premier Cup final.

Now Ashington is working hard on regaining his fitness after the energy-sapping illness and he promised the County faithful: "You'll see the best of me next season."

Newport manager Peter Nicholas and the 20-year-old are finalising a one-year deal and Ashington is itching to get back in action.

The ball-winner impressed during his four months at the Dr Martens League club, but he maintains: "I've got a lot more to offer.

"When I joined Newport in December I hadn't played regular football for about 18 months. I'd had a few injuries at Torquay and as they haven't got a reserve team I couldn't get regular games.

"I was delighted when I joined Newport but my match-fitness wasn't as good I would have liked.

"I didn't have a pre-season last season either due to injury and that didn't help so I'm dying to play now.

"So with a pre-season and hopefully regular football next season, County fans will see what I'm really capable of achieving"

Ashington, a plasterer in Torquay, predicts a bright future at Spytty Park.

"Newport County is a very professionally run club," he said, "and I wouldn't want to play anywhere else. "The fans are superb and they welcomed me to Wales with open arms.

"We've got some cracking footballers and it's only a matter of time before Peter Nicholas brings the success this club deserves."

County's 37-year-old centre-back Jeff Eckhardt has signed a one-year extension to his contract at the club.