Newport County seem to relish playing Grantham Town - and Peter Nicholas hopes that continues tom-orrow to ease the pressure on his players.

History has shown the Exiles have enjoyed getting their teeth into the Gingerbreads, winning the last eight meetings in a run stretching back ten years.

Newport have locked horns with Grantham on 14 occasions, winning ten times and losing just twice. Now with County yet to clock up their first Dr Martens League success this season, a visit to the South Kesteven Sports Ground could prove just the tonic for Nicholas' men.

"The players are not feeling the heat at all," insisted County chief Nicholas. "But we need a win, there is no getting away from that.

"Newport County have a good record against Grantham in the past and we need to work hard to ensure that run continues. We know a victory won't come easy."

Nicholas is the first to admit goal-scoring, or the distinct lack of it, is becoming a slight problem - and he is keen for his strike-force to hit the right note so the deficiency of fire-power does not develop into a millstone round County's neck.

"We do need to start scoring a few more," said Nicholas, pointing to the quantity of goal-scoring opportunities Newport missed on Monday in their Welsh derby draw with Merthyr Tydfil.

"The boys will just keep their heads down, work hard and it will come. We have worked on becoming more potent in front of goal in training and hopefully that should pay dividends."

Nicholas, though, has been hit with the bombshell that Welsh semi-pro midfielder Nathan Davies could be sidelined for up to four weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The hard-working gritty ball-winner hobbled off after half-an-hour in the Merthyr game with the problem and Nicky Palmer, his replacement on Monday night, is likely to fill the hole left by the 21-year-old.

Nicholas is sweating on the fitness of centre-back Andrew Thomas, who twisted his back against Merthyr.

He has responded well to treatment but will face a late fitness-test prior to the Grantham match.

Grantham, meanwhile, are unbeaten in four outings this season, winning one and drawing three, but do have their own injury concerns.

Prolific striker Jamie Clarke is still recovering from a broken leg and is set to miss out tomorrow while midfielder Jason Minett (groin strain) and Mark Paul (back) face late fitness-tests.

Newport County (from): P Mountain, S Williams, T Evans, A Thomas, J Eckhardt, G Lloyd, M Rose (c), G Phillips, N Palmer, G Shephard, N Davis, M Dickeson, C Rogers, A Stevenson, L Stone, J Phillips, R Plant, G Wesson

Grantham Town (from): M Ziccardi, G Bowater, R Gould, M Fox, T Wooding, A Speed, K Wilkin, S Dakin, G Last, S Wenlock, P Wilkin, S Wilson, D Hallows, J Kearns, N Inman, K Slinn, J Minett, M Paul