IF a week is a long time in politics then two and a half weeks is a mighty long time in football , especially for Newport County.

The Exiles were last in action two Saturdays ago in the 2-2 draw at home to Grantham Town, but they finally return to action tonight as they host Stafford Rangers in the Dr Martens Premier Division clash (kick-off 7.45pm).

County number two Glyn Jones believes that the lay-off has benefited the side but they are raring to get back into action, bolstered by the signing of Darren Jones (who is Glyn's nephew's son) from Bristol City.

Jones, Glyn that is, said: "The break has given a few of the players who had been suffering from injuries some time to recover. They all should be back and wanting to get on with the job.

"It will be a tough match. I watched them play against Merthyr Tydfil and they looked good (the match ended 1-1). So we will know what they're all about.

"They dominated the first half and probably should have won the match but Merthyr came back in the second half.

"They have some good strong players and it will be a test for our young players."

The enforced lay-off has meant that County have slipped into 12th position in the division and perilously close to the cut-off point for promotion into the soon to be formed Conference Two.

Only the top 13 clubs will get in but Jones feels that Newport have all the attributes needed to make it.

He said: "Hopefully we can go on a bit of a run, it is not beyond us. If we can do that we will be up there or thereabouts. We have a good squad of players with one or two experienced lads along with a lot of youngsters with potential. With Darren coming in we have another talented young player and that is what the club is all about.

"We are not just looking in the short term for guys that will come and go in a year but for players who will form the side for the years to come."

County will be hoping to grab the three points, a rare commodity at Spytty Park over the last year, and they will be boosted by the return of Jamie Moralee. Gareth Phillips and Andrew Thomas are out.

The club have said that fans can now enter the ground from the new turnstiles adjacent to the social club at the Spytty Road End as well as the main entrance, instead of using the cricket end.

Newport County: (from) Roberts, Evans, Lloyd, Eckhardt, Morgan, D Jones, S Williams, G Jones, J Phillips, Shephard, Bowen, Moralee, Davies, Stevenson, S O'Sullivan, A Williams.