CWMBRAN Town boss Tony Willcox is ever the optimist.
Not deterred by the Gwent side's nose-dive over the past two months, he says if his side can win their three remaining League of Wales games they can qualify for the Intertoto Cup which could then lead to a spot in the UEFA Cup.
But with only three wins in their last 12 games, Willcox agrees it is a big 'if'. However, the Crows are boosted by the return of some key players with playmaker Anthony Wright and 11-goal striker Mattie Davies fit after brief run-outs on Saturday in their 4-0 home drubbing by third-place TNS.
But what now frustrates Willcox is that their two remaining 'home' league games - including tonight's visit of Afan Lido - and their home leg of the League of Wales Cup semi-final cannot be played at Cwmbran Stadium due to ground redevelopments.
Tonight's Afan Lido clash (7.30pm) will be played at Cardiff's Leckwith Stadium but the club is still unsure where the remaining fixtures will be played.
"It is a farcical situation," admitted Willcox. "But there is nothing Cwmbran Town can do about it."
Town spent 12 months on the road while their home was being redeveloped in a £5m upgrade and they returned in mid-January. Now this latest exile is not helping their ambitions for a European place.
"It is amazing that we are still up there challenging despite our dip in form and our accommodation problems," said Willcox. "It has been a difficult time, but three wins should give us an Intertoto Cup place."
It won't be easy for Cwmbran tonight as sixth-place Afan Lido - one place above the Crows in the table - are unbeaten in their last eight games and are after an Intertoto spot too.
Cwmbran are without defenders John Wile and Richard David Richard Carter is also a doubt. But they are boosted by the return of captain Sean Wharton and midfielder Chris Watkins from suspension.
Cwmbran Town (from) : P O'Hagan, R Carter, S Wharton (c), J Welsh, R Shugar, N Smothers, N Wigg, A Moore, S Mainwaring, C Watkins, N Cotterrall, M Davies, A Wright, R Griffiths, M Dunn, M Pattimore
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