Newport County struggling to field team for friendly - Terry Butcher

Terry Butcher played in three World Cups for England

Newport County manager Terry Butcher says he will struggle to select a side for Saturday's pre-season friendly at Torquay.

Former England captain Butcher is facing a defensive injury crisis.

Danny Holmes, Scott Barrow and Matt Taylor are all out along with long-term injury victim Andrew Hughes.

"Torquay will be a difficult one to select a team for because we haven't got many players available," said Butcher.

County lost 2-0 at non-league Bath City on Tuesday in their opening pre-season friendly.

Butcher has signed 10 players this summer, but the Exiles still only have 15 first-teamers as the club's budget has been reduced to £850,000 from £1.4m last year.

The former Rangers defender hopes to stretch his tight budget to one or two new players.

"I haven't got much to spend now so there's not going to be many coming in," said Butcher.

"The squad is very, very thin, that's why younger players have been coming in.

"I can't put a number on it. I'm trying to get in as many as I can to squeeze the budget to several players, but we've got knocks and injuries to quite a few players now."