STRUGGLING Newbridge expect to have a new backs coach by the end of the week and hope to have a new forwards coach at the Welfare Ground within a fortnight.

The positions have been left vacant first by the sacking of Jonathan Westwood and the resignation of Mike Watkins.

Director of rugby Damien Cooper said the club are advertising the forwards position but believe it provides an opportunity for someone.

"It's been a mad couple of weeks," said the former club skipper, who was recuperating from yet another serious leg operation (his eighth) when Westwood was dismissed, "but we've just got to crack on.

"I think all the rubbish has happened now, we are over that. We have decided to advertise for a forwards coach, but we think we've got a backs coach lined up, though I can't say anything until we've confirmed that."

Former Pontypridd centre Steel Lewis, who has previously played for the club on dual registration, had been mentioned but he is taking a year out.

WRU district director of rugby John Williams took the club's Tuesday training session and Cooper said: "John took a game structure session and we are grateful. He has helped us a lot.

"We did the coaching last week (before the heavy defeat at Pontypool) among ourselves (Watkins was then away on holiday in America), but we needed some structure there.

"The boys' attitude has been excellent. We had a quick meeting on Tuesday to update the players on everything and there have been several positives to come out of this.

"John Bowd (the former club back row player who has just returned from two years playing in New Zealand) has re-signed, Craig Blunsdon trained on Tuesday for the first time and Darryl Williams (hooker), who has been out with injury since November, is back.

"We are also talking to one or two backs and looking to sign a couple before the deadline, so hopefully there is some good stuff happening as well.

"It's a fresh start now and think it's an excellent opportunity for a coach to come in and make a name for himself. "I may be looking one eyed at this, but if I was a coach I'd be thinking 'the players they've got there, I can mould them into something without a doubt.'

"Certain games this season we've competed well. We outplayed last season's champions Newport up front and gave leaders Neath a good game.

"But then we have let ourselves down in games we should have been winning and that has been the frustrating thing.

"But I am confident we can get ourselves out of the mess we are in (one from bottom of the Welsh Premier Division) and I think the boys are, too."