NEWPORT County midfielder Max Porter admits he fears for his future at the Exiles with competition so fierce for a starting berth.

The former Rushden midfielder has recovered from a three month injury lay-off with a groin issue after two injury hit seasons.

He has returned strongly thanks to replicating Daniel Sturridge’s training regime at Liverpool with a little help from England physio Gary Lewin, but Porter admits he’s had some serious doubts about his future at Rodney Parade.

“At the start of the season, against Cambridge and Burton at home, especially, I could not believe the standard of football we were playing, it was the best I’d seen since I’ve been here and we were getting punished for one or two mistakes, the total opposite of what is happening now,” he said. “As I explained, I was pleased to see the boys playing well, but it gives you doubts in your mind.

“We are all on year-to-year contracts at this level and you are trying to earn another year.

“I have something to fight for, I love it here, I love the club, I love living in Newport and we don’t want to go anywhere, the aim is to stay here.”

Porter and his fiancée are planning to stay in Newport long term, especially with a little Christmas gift on the way.

“I’m going to be a father, it’s really big for us and our boy is due on Christmas Eve so the games over the festive period could be interesting for me this year,” he said, admitting that having his partner’s pregnancy helped Porter to put his injury into perspective.

“To be honest, if this hadn’t been in my life, the baby on the way, I don’t know how I would have been during this latest injury setback.

“But I’ve had no choice, have I? I’ve had to put negative thoughts out of my mind and crack on and try and earn my livelihood.”

Porter is hopeful he can recapture the form that has made him a fan favourite at County, but admits he’s behind the eight ball.

“When I got my first start, I was equally as apprehensive as I was excited to play, I hadn’t had any reserve games, only the game time against York, I take it as a compliment to get the chance,” he said.

“It was a mental barrier gone and for Saturday I was desperate to play, it’ll take me a few weeks to find my form as I’ve not had a pre-season. I’m going in at the deep end, but I will get there eventually, once I get the run of games I’ll improve and I’ll have to, because we’ve got very talented midfielders.

“I am stronger and better for all injury troubles I’ve had. I wasn’t a bad professional before it, but I’m different now, it has highlighted to me the things I need to do to get out on the pitch. I have a set routine and my schedule has changed a lot.

“I’ve got my work cut out; I’m not in an advantageous situation compared to the other players with no pre-season.”

And Porter revealed that in his darkest moments, he was very much given the stick rather than the carrot by boss Edinburgh.

“The gaffer had to give me a kick up the backside for want of a better word, I was not a good person to be around for a while, the rehab was the same as last time, a tendon recovery and I think a couple of times the gaffer heard me say “I can’t be bothered anymore,” because I was so low.

“He took me aside and kicked me up the bum, stop being negative and that he wouldn’t have the negativity. He offered me a week off to go away and clear my head, but I thought that was just seven wasted days when I could’ve been starting my recovery. He snapped me out of it.”