FORMER All Black scrum half Ofisa Tonu'u (pictured) and experienced flanker Jason Forster return to the Newport team for Boxing Day's Welsh/Scottish League Gwent derby at Rodney Parade (3.30pm).

Tonu'u missed the Celtic League Quarter Final against Leinster and the league clash at Llanelli because he had to fly back to New Zealand where his mother was seriously ill and later died.

He was back just in time for the Caerphilly match nine days ago and went on as a replacement, but now he makes his first start for four games.

Forster has been troubled by groin injury for much of the season - playing with it for a while until he was forced to rest - but now reclaims his position from young Gareth Gravell.

Also due back is another experienced player Andy Marinos, the Wales A captain, who broke his nose at Llanelli although a final decision will not be made until after training this morning.

If Marinos starts it is likely Matthew Watkins will play on the left wing again, but if Marinos fails to make it Watkins will be in the centre with Ben Breeze on the wing.

Coach Ian McIntosh is undecided about the loose head prop position, whether Rod Snow or Ceri Jones will fill it, and similarly at hooker, though Paul Young will probably get the nod this time ahead of James Richards.

Joe Powell retains his position at No 8, with Wales A youngster Andrew Powell being eased back gradually.

With Glasgow losing at Caerphilly on Saturday and Cardiff failing to beat Bridgend, Newport go into the holiday period on their own in second place in the table.

Ebbw Vale in contrast are struggling after four successive league defeats including Saturday's 33-13 loss at Pontypridd.

The Steelmen now have Scott Mitchell back back after a groin injury and coach Mike Ruddock has revealed Welsh prop Iestyn Thomas has started light running after his toe ligament injury and should be available for selection in the New Year. Ruddock will select his side later this morning once his team report in for training, but with Neil Edwards expected to miss out after pulling out of Saturday's game with a neck injury Newport have sold more than 7,000 tickets for the match and the final attendance could be close to 10,000.

Newport Team: M Pini, M Mostyn, A Marinos/M Watkins, J Pritchard, M Watkins/B Breeze, S Howarth, O Tonu'u, R Snow/C Jones, P Young/J Richards, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, P Buxton, J Powell, J Forster. Replacements: B Breeze, J Strange, D Burn, R Snow/C Jones, J Richards, D Cross/G Taylor, A Powell. Visit www.thisisnewportrugby.co.uk