TIM Harris (pictured) says it's "vitally important" his Newport County side pick up three points against Worcester City at home tomorrow (3pm) as his team's next four fixtures are away from Newport Stadium.

The Exiles have won their last three Dr Martens Premier League games - plundering eight goals in the process - but Harris is keeping his fingers-crossed on the fitness of half-a-dozen key players.

Strike duo 12-goal Martin Paul and Lee Phillips, defenders Jeff Eckhardt (back) and Steve Benton (ankle) and midfield pair Matt Rose (hip) and Nathan Davies (hamstring) all face late fitness tests.

Harris is already without long-term absentees Stuart James (knee) and Garry Shephard (collar-bone) and none of the six has trained for ten days, but all bar "major doubt" Paul are expected to be available.

"We just need to continue our good form of late against Worcester," said Harris. "Because it is our last game at home before a four-game away run, it is vitally important to get a win, which would push us just behind Worcester with games in hand.

"We have looked a lot sharper lately and our shape has looked good. We have been more attacking and sticking the ball in the back of the net, which is the most important thing."

Tenth-placed County are eight points behind sixth-place Worcester but have five games in hand.

"Worcester will be a tough test for us," added Harris. "They have a lot of experienced players and have spent a bit of money lately."

The visitors have 11-goal Adam Webster and former Kidderminster Harrier Stuart Hadley up-front with ex-Bristol City and Kidderminster player Mark Shail in midfield.

County include new midfielder Michael Fowler in their squad but due to his lack of match fitness it is expected the former Crystal Palace and Woking man will be on the bench.

The 20-year-old ex-Welsh under-18 international signed last night on a free transfer Fowler played against County for Woking when the sides clashed in the preliminary stages of the FA Cup earlier this season.

Cardiff-born Fowler, who has also played for Wrexham, said: "I live in Barry and was playing for Woking and the travelling was an absolute nightmare. I just wanted to play near my home.

"I played against County in the FA Cup earlier this season and they seem a great bunch of players."

Fowler - whose younger brother Lee has recently broken into the Coventry City side and has caught the eye of Wales team boss Mark Hughes - played almost 100 reserve team games for Palace. He was being trailed by League of Wales leaders Barry Town before Harris swooped.

County (from): Mountain, Eckhardt, Clark, Benton, Walker, Rose, Cowe, Robison, Davies, Phillips, Ryan, Fowler, Plant, Thomas, Perry, Paul, Souter.