NEWPORT coach Ian McIntosh retains Shane Howarth at outside half for Wednesday night's difficult league game against in-form Neath at Rodney Parade.

McIntosh has resisted the temptation to bring Jason Strange in after Howarth's place kicking failures against Cardiff in the Principality Cup quarter-final in Newport's last official match.

Howarth's overall form, not least his defence, merits his inclusion in the side, and McIntosh and the management team hope Howarth's confidence returns in the kicking department.

Wales centre Andy Marinos returns to the team after missing the Cardiff clash with a damaged hand.

He renews his successful partnership in the centre with Jonathan Pritchard.

That means Matthew Watkins moves back to the left wing, where he plays for Wales A.

The only other change in the side as Newport bid to banish those Cardiff blues is at tighthead prop where Adrian Garvey starts instead of Chris Anthony.

Newport have delayed the choice of replacements mainly to see whether lock Mike Voyle suffers any reaction to his back injury after the weekend's training.

Newport have won four of their last five games against Neath.

Newport team: M Pini, M Mostyn, A Marinos, J Pritchard, M Watkins, S Howarth, O Tonu'u, R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, P Buxton, A Powell, J Forster. Kick off 7.30pm.