NEW recruit Kristian Dimond has appealed for calm from Newport County fans and pleaded, "please be patient."

The 20-year-old midfielder understands why Exiles fans are so passionate about their club and Dimond, too, is keen for success - but he has asked supporters to remain level-headed.

The County faithful are despondent after a hat-trick of Dr Martens Premier Division defeats to Tamworth, Weymouth and Hednesford.

However, Dimond said: "The fans need to be patient.

"You can't expect change to happen overnight and transformation to work at the click of a finger.

"I understand it's frustrating for everyone who supports Newport County but eventually things will happen."

Dimond will almost certainly start for Newport when they visit Havant and Waterlooville tonight (7.45pm) in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

He has impressed in his two games after signing non-contract terms for County last month after asking to be released by previous employers Cardiff City.

The Barry-raised youngster was under the close guidance of current Newport boss Peter Nicholas at Crystal Palace. Nicholas was youth-team manager during Dimond's teenage and YTS years at Selhurst Park.

The player said: "I know Peter Nicholas very well and I've got a lot of faith in him. He will do things right for Newport.

"It takes time for a 4-5-1 system like this to work in a league like this.

"Our approach play is good but we are struggling to finish off our moves and not having two of our front-line strikers available regularly will hurt us as, with this kind of formation, a striker is the core of the team.

"We need a man to take the glory for the rest of the team's hard work. And at the moment we haven't got that."

Dimond, who made one first-team appearance at Cardiff, said: "I'm pleased with my personal performances so far for Newport, however I know they can be a lot better.

"I'm just trying to feel my way into the league and the team. The Dr Martens League is a lot different to what I expected. It's a very physical league but I think, with the way we've been playing, we can pass around teams and beat them comfortably."

Striker Neil Davis and midfielder Mike Fowler, both of whom have knee injuries, face late fitness-tests before tonight's game at West Leigh Park while centre-back Billy Clark returns to the squad.

The FA Trophy quarter-finalists from Hampshire, who face ex-Newport assistant manager Colin Addison's Conference side Forest Green Rovers in the last eight, are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions.

Newport County (from) P Mountain, C Collins, S Benton, A Thomas, B Clark, J Perry, J Eckhardt, R Ashington, Nathan Davies, M Rose, K Dimond, G Shephard, R French, R Plant, M Fowler, Neil Davis, A Stevenson

n Cwmbran Town have to wait before discovering who they will get should they progress through to the Welsh Cup semi-finals this weekend.

The Crows' game at Bangor was called-off on Saturday. In fact, just one quarter-final tie was played, that between Rhyl and Connah's Quay Nomads.

The quarter-final draw was expected to be made as usual on Monday evening.

However, the Football Association of Wales have decided, in the light of last weekend's postponements, to hold the draw over until next week.

Cwmbran Town and Bangor try again to get their cup match played at Bangor on Saturday with a 2.30pm kick-off.