NELSON Jardim is happy to have selection headaches for Newport County AFC after the return of influential midfielders Aaron Wildig and Bryn Morris for the League Two trip to Tranmere.

The duo are likely to come into the XI for the game at Prenton Park (kick-off 3pm) after sitting out the FA Cup defeat to League One Peterborough.

Captain Wildig and sitting midfielder Morris have been key figures under Jardim but Kai Whitmore has also impressed since stepping up from Haverfordwest in the Cymru Premier and Newcastle prospect Jamie Miley has shown his potential.

The head coach has favoured a 4-5-1 system and, unless he changes to a diamond, one man will miss out.

Jardim would rather have such headaches and doesn’t call it a dilemma: “I would say options! The more I have got, the better because it gives me more things that I can do.

“Bryn is a senior player who is experienced and knows the league very well. Having him on the pitch allows us to bring other things.

INFLUENTIAL: County captain Aaron WildigINFLUENTIAL: County captain Aaron Wildig (Image: Gareth Everett)

“Wildig is our captain and leads by example. Both of them are massive for us but it's not just about one or two people, it's about the squad and everyone being involved and engaged, following what we want for the club.”

County have a healthy squad with Preston midfielder Noah Mawene and striker Hamzad Kargbo the only players on the injured list.

Versatile Shane McLoughlin was an unused substitute against the Posh in the FA Cup but that was down to having a nine-man bench for the competition.

The full-back/midfielder could well be held back for a return in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy game at Reading.

“He needs a bit more confidence and match fitness, he was on the bench last week but we knew that he couldn't play many minutes,” said Jardim.

“Shane is now in the final process of getting to the level that allows you to play properly. He is fit but just needs that final bit to give us confidence he won’t get injured again.

“We will have to assess him. We have another session on Friday but if he is only fit for 10, 15 minutes then we have to think about whether it’s worth having him on the bench.

“If it’s not at Tranmere then we have Tuesday to get him some minutes, that is the plan.”

County were hit by an illness bug last week and that is still affecting some members of the squad, including midfielder Cameron Antwi after he missed the Peterborough game.

The Exiles travel to face a Tranmere side who have won one of their last nine fixtures in League Two to sit five places and five points behind Jardim’s men.