ADAM Lewis is working his way back to his best thanks to the trust of Newport County AFC manager Graham Coughlan.

The Liverpool loanee has started the last two games at left-back and been replaced at half-time in the wins against Doncaster and Eastleigh.

That was planned by Coughlan and his staff to ensure they are in control of Lewis’ minutes after a quad injury suffered at the end of September.

The 24-year-old will hope to feature again in today’s League Two clash against Wrexham at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm), potentially with the same plan of Southampton right-back Lewis Payne coming on at the break and Shane McLoughlin switching to the left flank.

Lewis is spending a second season in Newport and made 28 appearances until a season-ending hamstring injury last February.

The Coughlan factor was key in him returning to south Wales, and in him getting a starting return to the side recently.

South Wales Argus: Eastleigh's Enzio Boldewijn and Newport County's Adam LewisEastleigh's Enzio Boldewijn and Newport County's Adam Lewis (Image: Press Association)

“The manager has put his trust in me again by playing me,” said Lewis. “I've only been allowed to play 45 minutes in the last two games while easing my way in.

“I had a good conversation with the manager because normally you’d get 10 to 15 minutes towards the end of a game.

“He trusts me to play and that's building my fitness up, but it's going to take a few games to get back to where I was last year.”

Lewis made his return from injury with a brief cameo as a substitute in the Boxing Day win against Forest Green.

The defender was a travelling reserve for the 2-0 loss to Wrexham at the Racecourse and hopes to turn the tables on the promotion hopefuls.

Manchester United might be in town for the FA Cup next weekend but Lewis insists three points is all the squad are thinking about.

“We can't look past Wrexham, we have to make sure we are focused,” he said.

“It’s a big game, we saw that when we played up there a few weeks ago. I was unlucky to just miss out on that but it was good to travel and get a taste of it.

“All our focus is on Wrexham and it’s perfect timing for it with two big games. We’ve got the temporary stand so there will be more atmosphere and more fans. It will be a great week.”