FORMER Ebbw Vale and Newport outside half Shaun Connor makes a welcolm return to Vale colours against Newport in Friday's Welsh/Scottish League clash (7.05pm) after being signed on permit from Neath.

Connor left Eugene Cross Park at the end of last season to play for Neath, but has returned to help ease their problems at fly half.

There are plenty of fly halves at Neath with Patrick Horgan and Lee Jarvis both getting games, and the Welsh All Blacks were keen for Connor, who has played mainly at full back this season, to play some rugby.

Ebbw Vale have had a luckless season when it comes to the number 10 shirt with Scott Mitchell out for the rest of the campaign with a groin strain.

Wing Gareth Cull and full back Matt James have deputised, but with Vale up against Welsh/Scottish League leaders Newport, the return of Connor will bolster their back line. How long Connor stays with Vale is down to the discretion of Neath, but his presence will help Vale when they name their team later today.

Elsewhere in the squad, both wing Andrew Wagstaff and lock Neil Edwards are making good progress in their bids to be fit for the kick-off.

Wagstaff limped off in Saturday's 26-16 defeat by Cardiff after aggrevating an old knee injury, while Edwards went off after taking a heavy knock to the neck and shoulders. Coach Mike Ruddock is confident both will play and added he was pleased to see Connor back in the Ebbw Vale shirt.

He said: "Andrew has been training all week, but has not been able to do any explosive work, and Neil is coming along well.

"It will be good to have Shaun back with us. Neath were keen to get him some game time and it will be a big help to us."

Vale will be keen to land a win against one of the 'Gang of Six' clubs.