FOOTBALL: NEWPORT County face a mammoth task as they face mega-bucks Hornchurch at Spytty Park today (kick-off 3pm), writes Michael Gannon.

Last week Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho complained that Tottenham had "parked their team bus" in front of the goal to prevent his side from scoring.

That might not be such a bad idea as the Urchins have got over a shaky start to the Nationwide South campaign which saw them pick up only one point from their opening two games and they have now won NINE on the trot.

And in that run they have twice racked up 6-0 victories, against Maidenhead in midweek and also against Basingstoke - who stuck three past County without reply two weeks ago, costing Peter Nicholas his job. In fact, as well as hitting the back of the net 28 times in 11 games, they have only conceded THREE goals all season.

In a squad that includes former Cardiff stalwart Damon Searle and ex-Tottenham midfielder Darren Caskey, who was not only part of the England youth set up that included the likes of David Beckham, he was captain!

But far from being afraid of Hornchurch, County midfielder Jonathan Coates revealed he can't wait to get into them.

Coates was a standout in County's 1-0 victory at St Albans on Tuesday and he nearly capped the display with a spectacular goal, only to be denied by a great save.

Coates said: "I am honestly really looking forward to it, I can't wait. "We all know that they have spent a lot of money but I have seen it before when I was at Swansea, where teams have got this player and that but it doesn't matter when you go out onto the pitch.

"We haven't been going through the best spells of late but we got a good result midweek and kept a clean sheet, so we won't be going out and expecting to get beat.

"They are on a good run, and us not so good, but all runs have to end sometime. If we beat them it would get us right back on track." He added: "The players are all determined to do well and have to go out with the intention of impressing the new manager, who could be in the stand."

Newport have their fair share of injury problems as well, with fitness tests expected for Nathan Davies, Scott Morgan, Jamie Moralee and Neil Passmore.

Academy player Dale Evans and former West Brom player Luke Marcus have been added.

The draw for the Carthium Cup (the League Cup for Conference National, Nationwide North and South clubs) has been made and County have landed a tough away tie against Weymouth in the week beginning November 1.

If they can negotiate that one, they will face either Dorchester or Weston-super-Mare in the week of November 29.

This of, course could see Weston boss Frank Gregan, who is favourite to be unveiled as County boss next week, facing his old club.

The winners of that tie will face Forest Green in the third round in the New Year.