City set for Newport test

Newport County v St Albans City

Saturday, January 23 - 3pm KO

Season so far: Newport have had a flying start to the season and are currently comfortable leaders.

Dean Holdsworth's side are 12 points clear at the top of the Blue Square South table and have two games in hand over second-place Dover Athletic.

The Exiles are unbeaten in the league since a 1-0 defeat at Staines Town on October 27 and since then they've wracked up eight wins and a draw.

Newport's last game came on Wednesday evening as they held Blue Square Premier highfliers York City to a 0-0 draw.

Last meeting: Substitute Charlie Henry's super strike was all that separated the two sides when they met at an autumnal Clarence Park in October.

City's last trip across the Severn Bridge resulted in a 1-0 win courtesy of Jonathan Hunt's 71st minute penalty.

Players: James Fisher returns after missing the Herts Senior Cup defeat to Royston through suspension.

Mark Peters sits out the trip to Spytty Park, the second of his three game ban following his dismissal at Dover.

This will be City's first game since Godfrey Poku and Jonathan O'Donnell left to join Luton Town. Rob Magwood could make his first start in the league after impressing in Tuesday night's defeat to Royston.

Adam Everitt should be able to take his place in the Saints backline despite still nursing a hernia injury but there are doubts over whether James Quilter will be fit for the trip to Spytty Park.

Newport's major new signing, Chris Todd, could make his debut on Saturday after missing Wednesday's night's 0-0 draw with York in the FA Trophy because he was ineligible.

Dave Gilroy returned after eight weeks out during the York game but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

Referee: Lee Swabey (Devon) assisted by D Leach and A Smith.