"I'M GLAD to be here and I'm ready to go," was the reaction of Springbok great Percy Montgomery on his arrival at Newport Rugby Club today.

He takes up a two-and-a-half year contract with the Black and Ambers, another huge signing from South Africa by club benefactor Tony Brown.

So keen was Montgomery to make an impression and bid for a place in the side to face Swansea at St Helens on Saturday that he even turned up at a training session this morning.

He was driven straight to Newport from Heathrow in the company of Brown and two agents from South Africa and immediately made for Rodney Parade, though in the event he did not actually train.

"I'm glad to be here, and I'll give it as much as I can," said Montgomery.

"I'm looking forward to getting on the pitch and doing my best for Newport.

"If the coach wants me to play against Swansea, then I am ready."

Coach Leigh Jones has, in fact, named a 26-man squad for the match at Swansea on Saturday evening, and Montgomery is in it.

The 50-times capped Springbok admitted it was tough leaving his homeland, but now that he is here he is determined to make it count.

"It was very difficult for me, but I made the decision and stuck to it. I said 'yes', I gave you my word, and now I'm here.

"It's a new challenge in my rugby career. Western Province didn't want to release me, but they said they would sort it out and I'm here. It's time to move on.

"It was sad making the decision to retire from international rugby, but I played 50 times and needed a new challenge.

"It's a good opportunity to come to a club like Newport and start again.

"I haven't seen Newport play, but I've got a month or so to get on with it and see if I can use my strengths to help them out."

Jones has named a big squad for Swansea partly because of the possibility of accommodating Montgomery and partly because of injury concerns, scrum half Ofisa Tonu'u being the main one.

He damaged a calf muscle against Caerphilly on Tuesday night and is doubtful for Saturday, rivals Dale Burn and Llyr Lane are also included.

Ruled out is back row forward Andrew Powell, still not recovered from a knee injury.

But Jason Jones-Hughes will return after over a year out with a serious knee injury when he plays some role for the under-21s against Swansea at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Newport squad: M Pini, P Montgomery, A Cadwallader, M Mostyn, H Luscombe, S Williams, L Nabaro, S Howarth, J Strange, O Tonu'u, D Burn, L Lane, D Pattison, R Snow, P Young, J Richards, A Garvey, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (captain), M Voyle, M Veater, J Powell, S Ojomoh, R Jones, G Gravell, J Forster. Kick off 5.30pm.