NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh does not believe he’ll need to strengthen his squad in January.

The Exiles boss is convinced that with five key players set to return from injury he will have more than enough talent at his disposal to keep the club’s promotion push going.

County dropped out of the League Two play-off places following Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw at leaders Oxford United.

But they have a chance to make up some ground on the leading pack when they host second-placed Chesterfield at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

And Edinburgh is convinced that the imminent return of long-term injury victims Andy Sandell, Byron Anthony, Max Porter, Ryan Burge and Aaron O’Connor will be a big boost after Christmas.

“We have four or five players who are going to be back in January so that is going to be like five new signings,” he said.

“We know them and they already know us so I really don’t feel we need to strengthen.

“We’ve got Andy Sandell, Max Porter, Aaron O’Connor, Byron Anthony and Ryan Burge still to come back so that is five top players.

“I don’t feel we’ll need to bring anyone else in. It’ll be like five free transfers so the chairman can save his money and buy me a drink instead!”

Striker Chris Zebroski will also hope to be back in January following his knee operation.

Porter joined in with the pre-match warm-up on Tuesday night and Sandell was on the bench at the Kassam Stadium – but only as an emergency goalkeeper.

“Jamie Stephens picked up an injury in training on Monday and Andy was on the bench as a goalkeeper,” explained Edinburgh.

“Andy is Andy and he’s just desperate to get back involved. He would have loved to have gone in goal but thankfully he wasn’t needed.

“He’s not quite there nut he’s close and Max is getting back into it and warming up with the team so that is a big plus for us.”

Stephens is expected to be fit to take his place on the bench against Chesterfield on Sunday and Edinburgh also warned the Spireites that Christian Jolley is close to regaining his best form.

“Christian is getting better, getting fitter,” he added. “He’s not quite where he was before he picked up his injury but there’s little glimpses there.

“He showed that when he dropped his shoulders near the end and hit the crossbar (at Oxford) and we just need one of them to go in for Christian and he’s off and running.”