Newport County 1, Steaua bucharest 5

TIM Harris has vowed Newport County will 'get to the bottom' of the mystery bug that continues to sweep through his squad.

Captain Darren Robison and new Welsh semi-pro striker Mark Dickeson both left the Exiles' prestigious pre-season friendly with Steaua Bucharest last night as they became the latest victims.

Fourteen of Harris' squad, including his right-hand man Colin Addison, were unavailable for the lucrative clash with former European Champions due to the bug, with young midfielder Allan Stevenson now making progress in the Royal Gwent Hospital and ten other players bed-ridden.

The virus claimed its first victim on Saturday night while the Dr Martens Premier League club were on a pre-season training tour of the South Coast and were based in Bournemouth.

Dorset's environmental health team have been making enquiries in the last two days of what exactly the illness is and County are waiting for the latest news.

"Our players weren't just being sick," recalled Harris, who hasn't been struck down yet. "But they were seriously ill and some are still really struggling. We will get to the bottom of it."

The Newport boss started last night's match with just four regular players - Pat Mountain, Darren Robison, Mark Dickeson and Michael Fowler - due to the circumstances, with the other seven starters all guests.

Harris said: "I'm very disappointed for the players that have been so ill over the last 24-48 hours because it was a great coup to get such a prestigious friendly as Steaua Bucharest at Newport Stadium.

"All of the players were looking forward to it. It's been a very difficult time for myself and everyone involved at Newport County.

"I can't praise my staff enough because they have been superb over the past two days. I wouldn't know what I would of done without them.

"But I've got to say a big thank you to a lot of people who have dropped everything at the last minute and helped me and this football club," added the County boss.

Harris has given his whole squad the rest of the week off to recover from the illness, meaning Saturday's friendly clash with Gwent rivals Cwmbran Town could be in jeopardy.

"I have got to give my players the time off," he said.

"They are all so weak and have no energy, some are still bed-ridden.

"This has put a huge dent in our pre-season preparations but sometimes adversity makes you stronger."

Speaking about last night's Steaua match, Harris said: "The scoreline was 5-1 but they are an absolutely quality side.

"I am just very relieved that it's over because the last two days has been non-stop for me."

County's game last night was for the Bill Lucas Memorial Trophy, the old team's former boss, and Harris said: "We hope to get a prestigious fixture every year for this cup because Bill did an awful lot for this football club."

Our picture shows Newport's Neil Davies, left, in a tangle with Steaua last night