STRIKER Christian Jolley is delighted to be back where he belongs after an injury-ravaged start to the season and relishing another Rodney Parade clash tonight, writes Andrew Penman.

The 25-year-old has started the last two games for Newport County AFC after returning from surgery on a groin injury that has hampered him since the end of last season.

And after a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at Braintree Town last weekend and a fine 3-0 win over Portsmouth in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday, he will lead the line against visitors Hartlepool United in League Two tonight.

“I’m buzzing. I’m really happy to be back,” he said.

“I’ve had two starts now, had 70 minutes in both and I haven’t broken down so it’s good, I’m enjoying it.

“When you’re not playing it’s hard to feel part of the team so it’s great to be back and contributing again.

“Braintree was a tough place to go and it wasn’t the best comeback for me but we did the job and hopefully we’ll finish that on Tuesday.

“But Portsmouth was great. They’re a good side and the place was rocking so it was great to get the win and get through to the semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.”

Jolley knows that in-form Hartlepool will provide a much stiffer test tonight but he believes the Exiles’ excellent home record will see them through.

“Hartlepool are absolutely flying so it should be a really good game but we’re confident as well,” he said.

“It’ll be a test. They play good football and we play good counter-attacking stuff so we’ll see who has the edge on the night.

“They’ll try to impose themselves and they won’t be showing any fear but if we start the way we did the other night, with the attacking options we’ve got, then we shouldn’t have a problem.”

Jolley was disappointed to see top scorer Chris Zebroski ruled out until after Christmas with a knee injury but he’s certain that he and fellow strikers Conor Washington and Danny Crow can fill the gap.

“It’s very disappointing but that is the way it’s going for us at the moment,” he said of Zebroski’s injury.

“We’ve got an unbelievable number of injuries at the minute but fortunately with the squad the gaffer has put together we have depth and the people who are coming in are doing well.

“Conor just creates so many opportunities and Crowy links the play so well. People sometimes overlook what he does but his intelligence and the way he brings me into the game is great.

“He distracts players away from us as well because when you have pace you tend to get doubled up on but he uses his intelligence to draw people away from me and Conor.”