MANAGER Justin Edinburgh has some tough decisions to make as he welcomes players back a number of players for Sunday’s clash with Exeter City.

Long-term absentees Rene Howe and Robbie Willmott are still sidelined and Mark Byrne is a doubt with a hamstring strain but otherwise it’s all good news.

Edinburgh has captain Andy Sandell back from suspension, striker Joe Pigott is available again after missing last week’s cup tie and goalkeeper Jamie Stephens is back from his loan spell at Gloucester City.

Ryan Jackson, Adam Chapman and Danny Crow have also all trained this week and all three could be in contention to play some part against the Grecians at Rodney Parade on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

“We’ve had about 21 players training this week and it means there are some decisions to make but I look forward to it,” said Edinburgh

“The game being on Sunday gives us a longer week to get training into people like Ryan Jackson, Adam Chapman and Danny Crow so that’s good.

“Mark Byrne picked up a slight hamstring strain in the late stages of the game last week so he’s a doubt.

“He was sore in the early part of the week but he’s had some good improvements over the last 24 hours so we’re pretty positive that it shouldn’t be too long before he’s back with us.

“But, apart from Mark, Rene Howe and Robbie Willmott, it’s looking pretty positive right now.”

Edinburgh added that Byrne has still not signed a new contract to take him beyond January but that an agreement was very close.

“We’re nearly there with Mark,” he said. “It’s just about dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the t’s and I don’t foresee there being any problem there.”

The Exiles boss also confirmed that Pigott and goalkeeper Joe Day will return to their parent clubs after the match at Bury on November 22.

“The financial position we’re in at as a football club means we’re at the top end (of our playing budget) so we can’t afford to keep Joe Pigott here any longer,” said Edinburgh.

“And Joe Day’s loan is up on November 28, before the Carlisle match, and he has to go back to Peterborough then because of the rules of the emergency loan system.”

Both County and Exeter were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend at Luton Town and Warrington Town respectively.

Edinburgh insists there were plenty of positives to take from his side’s 4-2 defeat at Kenilworth Road and he believes Exeter’s shock 1-0 loss at minnows Warrington won’t affect the visitors too much.

“They’ll obviously be disappointed by the result but, apart from the result, I didn’t think it was anything to be embarrassed about,” said the Exiles boss.

“It was heroic from Warrington and one of those fairytales of the FA Cup but, in terms of the performance, Exeter did OK.

“They’ve had a good run of late like ourselves and we both have to concentrate on the league now.

“Against Luton I thought we were the better side for long periods so we’ve taken a lot of positives from that,” he added.

“Training has been good this week and we’re back at home, where we haven’t played for a while, so we’re looking forward to that.

“We want to keep our good home form going and keep the crowds coming.

“I thanked the fans for coming out against Accrington. It was a fantastic attendance and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

County have now signed up to the Tickets for Troops scheme in time for Sunday’s match and hope to welcome service men and women to Rodney Parade for this game and future fixtures.