Newport's McLoughlin feared worst over injury

Shane McLoughlin suffered the knee injury just six minutes into September's game against Port Vale - but accepts he was fortunate

Shane McLoughlin is in line to step up his league return for Newport County this weekend following a knee injury he admits had him fearing the worst.

Utility man McLoughlin was sidelined for the past two months after a worrying knee injury suffered against Port Vale in September.

But, having come on in the final minute at Tranmere last weekend before playing 63 minutes in the Exiles midweek EFL Trophy defeat at Reading, the 27-year-old said he had concerns of an even longer absence.

"I got away with it not being a really nasty one," said McLoughlin, who is set to feature in Newport's League Two clash with Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade.

"Sometimes as a player you get a gut feeling with injuries and, I won't lie, I really wasn't sure because I was in such an unnatural position.

"I was worried at the time because I'd hyper-extended my knee and I was caught at the same time.

"In the end I damaged my cartilage, there was a sprain to the ACL and the tendon attached to my hamstring tried to tear the bone off.

"But on all three fronts I got away lightly compared to what could have been."

The New York-born Irishman says he sought various opinions before it was confirmed he would avoid surgery, although he says missing two months of action still "wasn't ideal".

In his absence, County have won just three of their last nine League Two fixtures, as well as exiting the FA Cup.

Manager Nelson Jardim said that the versatility of the "composed" McLoughlin – primarily a full-back but who has also operated further up and in the middle of the pitch – is a boost in attack and defence for a side that has conceded 26 goals.

Newport are in what Jardim accepts is "a bad spell" with just one win in eight all-competition games.

And the former Wimbledon, Morecambe and Salford player says the outing against Reading has helped "blow the cobwebs away" as he looks to help Jardim's young side rediscover form against Grimsby.

"We have a lot of good players in the building, but we are still gelling," said McLoughlin, one of few survivors from last season following a squad overhaul in the summer.

"I know people don't want to hear it, and there are going to be some tough times, but with the lads we have we will get through this.

"We have players looking to make their mark; before I signed I had a tough stint of not playing but I found my feet when I got here and had one of the best years of my career.

"We need the basis of being more consistent to allow players to shine and I'm sure we will. The next step is to put some good runs together and they can shine even more."

Jardim says McLoughlin's return will provide the struggling Exiles with a defensive and attacking boost

Jardim said McLoughlin's return will be "like having a new signing" but Newport will be without defender Kyle Jameson for the next two games after his second red card of the season picked up in last weekend's loss at Tranmere.

Jamie Miley is a doubt as he struggles with back spasms having only recently returned from a hernia operation, while Jardim revealed he is managing the fitness of midfielder Kai Whitmore after his return from injury.

"I have to take him out to make sure he can come back to the level he can play 90 minutes, which hopefully he can do soon," said Jardim, also asdmitting Jameson is nursing an injury problem.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel with injuries, but I wouldn't say the red card came at a good moment for us as we will have to change things at the back after the hard work to keep clean sheets against Gillingham and Fleetwood.

"But that's the process we are in; this league is crazy and everyone goes through bad spells. We can't hide from it and are determined to move forward."