Tony Mount has worked miracles to haul Newport out of the Dr Martens Premier Division bottom four ahead of another crunch basement battle at home to Hinckley United tonight (7.45).
But even he realises he would be fighting a losing battle trying to get Weymouth loan sensation David Laws to become a regular fixture on the Island next season.
Laws's goalscoring knack has been nothing short of phenomenal since he was shipped to St George's Park in mid-March to help ease cash-strapped Weymouth's crippling wage bill.
The Portland prison officer scored one and made one in Saturday's priceless 2-1 win over Bath City, shooting his tally up to nine goals in just six appearances for the Islanders.
Mount, who has reclaimed the matchday managerial reins for the rest of the season, admitted: "I'd cut off my right arm to have David here permanently. He's the sort of player you'd want to break the bank for.
"But there's no way it's going to happen. David's got his testimonial season coming up at Weymouth and he won't want to leave them."
Having inspired the side to seven from a possible nine points over the past week, Mount's one big fear tonight is complacency
Newport are only one point better off than King's Lynn and Bath below them and he stressed: "I'm just a little wary that the players may think it's over. Hinckley are not clear of trouble themselves yet and will come here fighting for their lives. We need to suck them down into trouble too."
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