PETER Nicholas believes the next the month is make-or-break time for Newport County in the Dr Martens Premier League.

And with four league games at home in the next four weeks, the new Exiles boss insists: "We must make Newport Stadium a fortress."

Nicholas has also beefed up his squad with the addition of Torquay United midfielder Ryan Ashington, 19, who joined County on a month loan deal last night.

Nicholas, whose desire is to sign Ashington on a permanent basis, describes the Torbay-born youngster as a "tough-tackling box-to-box ball-winner" who will strengthen Newport's midfield after Dave D'Auria's departure.

Ashington will go straight into County's squad that start their crunch period tomorrow against Grantham Town.

County host mid-table Welling United on Saturday week, top-of-the-table Worcester City on Boxing Day and Hinckley United on the first Saturday of the new year in the key games over the festive period.

And with tricky trips to Bath City, Folkestone Invicta and Halesowen Town also on County's on the cards over the holidays, Nicholas knows this is the time when his side should stand up and be counted.

A positive string of results for Newport, boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Nathan Davies and centre-back Billy Clark tomorrow, could see them challenging in the top five, but such is the tightness of the league a bad run could see them nervously looking over their shoulders.

"The Christmas and New Year period will be a make-or-break period for Newport County," said Nicholas, who has won two games and drawn one at home since he took over the managerial reigns from Tim Harris three weeks ago.

"In the New Year, we'll have more idea what our realistic aims are this season. But we have four home games in the next month so we must make Newport Stadium a fortress - that is very important.

"We don't want teams coming here and nicking points and I want my players to respond accordingly."

Ninth-place County, nine points behind Worcester, beat 11th place Grantham, who haven't won in six league games, four weeks ago - but Nicholas is Richard French and left-back Steve Benton.

Newport County : P Mountain, J Perry, J Eckhardt, B Clark, A Thomas, S Walker, S Cowe, L Stanton, M Fowler, A Stevenson, M Rose (c), G Shephard, N Davis, J Dupres, G Jones, R Ashington