AN outbreak of tonsillitis in the Newport camp means the undeafeted Welsh Premier Division Champions are not able to finalise their squad to meet Newbridge at Newbridge Welfare Ground tonight until just before kick-off.

Originally Rhys Jones was the only tonsillitis casualty but last night hooker Keiran Crawford, prop Sven Cronk and wing Gareth Chapman, as well as coach David Rees himself, reported to be suffering from the ailment.

"We will have to see how players feel, when they turn up for the game," said Rees, who added, "This is another very tough game for us, against a club I hold dear to my heart.

"I played for Newbridge for five years and captained them for two and I know we won't get any change from them.

"We'll have to be on top of our game.

"But we are a very tight-knit squad and we want to keep the ball rolling after five successive wins."

If well enough, all four tonsillitis victims will play, but because of some other minor knocks and injuries, it is likely Newport will have to borrow players for their game with Llanelli on Saturday.

Newbridge team manager Damien Cooper said: "Newport are a strong side as their record shows, but we had a big confidence boost, from our performance against Caerphilly (whom they defeated 37-7) at the weekend and are looking forward to the game.

"We have virtually given the team a vote of confidence (right wing Rob Allen replaces the unavailable Chris Arnold and lock Jamie Sims replaces injured skipper Mike Peard).

"They were up for it on Saturday and will have to be up for it a lot more tonight."

With Rees returning to a club he once played for and Newbridge coached by former Newport skipper Mike Watkins and former Rodney Parade player Jonathan Westwood, all is set for another stirring derby.

Newport: R Williams, A McLaughlan, R Shorney, R Payne, G Chapman, D Griffiths, B Shelbourne, D Pattison, K Crawford, S Cronk, D Davies, N Edwards. S Waldron, P Williams, R Jones. Replacements: I Evans, G Robinson, M Pophan, N Kelly, T Walsh, A N Other, A N Other. Kick-off 7pm. Newbridge: C Wills, R Allen, J Williams, P Jones, M Addis, R Watts, M Taylor, A Oliver, L Davies, R Davies, W Sims, J Powell, S Greedy, G Gladwyn, M Ackerman. Replacements from rest of squad.

l Another derby takes place at Eugene Cross Park where Ebbw Vale host Pontypool, both with just one win to their names this season.

Both sides will be chosen just before kick-off, Pontypool because of fitness concerns surrounding front row pair Huw Jones and Leighton Jones and flanker Sean Coombes.

Pontypool scored 28 points without reply in the second half to stun Swansea at Pontypool Park on Saturday.

Asked if he hoped his side would continue in the same vein, Pontypool coach Steve Jones said: "We have played well all season and might have won all our games. We will respect Ebbw Vale and will give it 120%.

Vale team manager Alan Harries said: "Gwent derbies are always close and anything can happen in them.

"We had our game (at Pontypridd) on Saturday in the bag and then threw it away and we will need to be a bit more composed."

Ebbw Vale (from): S Hunt, J Rowles, J Griffin, S Horner, K Owen, J Hawker, D Phillips, B Hayward, A Bevan, S Heddington, H Sparks, L Davies, C Thomas, M Williams, C Downes, A Jones, G Burns, G Jones, K Faletau, G Cleaver, R Bowen, M Tuipulotu, M Scudamore. Kick-off 7.30pm. Pontypool: D Smith (from) M Ali, R Jenkins, A Sliczney, O Jones, L McCabe, S Mills, G Jenkins, R Jones, N Giles, G Gunter, L Jones, R Miller, N Blake, D Cox, O Reynolds, M Amos, C Trayhern, D Gibbs, L Burns, G Lucas. Meet Ebbw Vale 6.15pm.

l Bedwas have centre John Welch, utility back Andrew James, scrum half Rob Phillips and lock Anthony Edwards back from injury tonight but still have seven other squad members out for the visit of Llanharan.

So they include Newport Gwent Dragons' Scottish international back row player Ross Beattie and outside half Craig Warlow.

"Even though final positions are not determined at this stage of the season, we do realise the magnitude of tonight's game (after one win in five) in terms of picking up points," said Bedwas coach Steve Law.

"I am confident we are capable of beating Llanharan if we apply ourselves properly."

Bedwas: A James, M Pizey, J Welch, J Lynch, S Sankala, C Warlow, R Phillips, J Tilley, P McGhee, J Salter, R Edwards, A Edwards, R Beattie, B Cole, D Mattravers. Replacements from rest of squad. Kick-off 7.15pm.

l Former Cross Keys assistant coach Simon King returns to Pandy Park tonight with his Pontypridd side, keen to make it four wins in a row.

But with new coaches in charge at Keys in Robert Beale and Nicky Lloyd and many new faces on board, it is doubtful if his knowledge of the club will count for much.

"It's a game we need to win. We have targeted all of our home games," said Beale.

"We were disappointed to lose at Carmarthen on Saturday for we got behind their defence several times but just could not finish things off.

"In our previous three games (all won), when we were in positions to score we did and that's what we will be looking to get back to."

Ben Watkins makes his first appearance of the season for Cross Keys after injury and a family bereavment. Cross Keys: G Worgan, N Williams, G Turner, D Dark, D Price, S Mitchell, G Betts, I George, G Price, C Gould, M Curtis, W Thomas, B Watkins, T Morris, R Williams. Replacements: O Biddescombe, T Mahoney, D Hudd, D Crimmins, P Maxwell, J Price, R Williams, kick-off 7.15.