PETER Nicholas has issu-ed a 'hands off' warning to any clubs trailing Newport County darling Garry Shephard.

The Exiles boss understands why non-league managers, like Chippenham Town's Tommy Saunders, are chasing the Welsh semi-pro striker - but Nicholas insists: "He's going nowhere."

Shephard, 26, only signed an extension to his contract six weeks ago which will keep him at Newport Stadium until the summer of 2005 - and Nicholas said: "He's definitely not for sale.

"Garry Shephard is top-quality players and an integral part of my plans to take Newport County forward.

"Proven goal-scorers are hard to find and we have to keep players like him if we are to realise our Nationwide Conference dream."

Shephard, who has scored 13 goals this term, and his team-mates travel to Hednesford Town tomorrow (3pm) hoping to "bounce back" after last week's 2-0 Dr Martens Premier Division defeat at struggling Weymouth.

"It's imperative that when we get in and around the box we create goal-scoring chances," said Nicholas.

"As we didn't do that last week."

Ninth-placed County, who have only lost three league games in 12 under Nicholas, travel to Hednesford, in 12th spot and without a win in five matches.

Kristian Dimond is set to keep his place and fellow midfielder and Newport skipper Matt Rose is available again after suspension while injury-plagued striker Neil Davis will undergo a fitness-test on his problematic knee.

Newport County (from) : P Mountain, C Collins, S Benton, A Thomas, B Clark, R Ashington, N Davies, M Rose (c), K Dimond, R Plant, R French, G Shephard, D Sherman, J Perry, J Eckhardt, G Jones, A Stevenson.

Meanwhile, tickets for Newport's all-ticket FAW Premier Cup semi-final with Cardiff City on March 24 go on sale this Monday at Newport Stadium's ticket office, which is open between 10am and 4pm.

Also former England international Frank Worthington is the guest speaker at Newport County's Sportsman Dinner in the city's Holiday Inn hotel on Saturday week (7pm). Tickets cost £30 and are available from Wendy Evans at Newport County FC on 01633 662262.