TIM Harris admits it would be a "mammoth task" for his Newport County side to win the Dr Martens Premier league this season but he remains positive and says: "There's still a chance."

And the manager is drawing inspiration from his own playing days, when his side were nearly down and out at Christmas, but won the league.

"When I was a player at Cheltenham Town in the mid-80s in the Southern League, we were fifth from bottom and ended up winning the title.

"I know for Newport to do that this season is a mammoth task as we are not in a great position, but we have to think positively and go on a really good unbeaten run - there is still a chance.

"We have got quality players and we have the possibility of a great season ahead of us. We have just got to go out there and fight for it."

The festive fixture pile-up is shaping up as a crucial time for County's league aspirations.

The Exiles - who have not won in the league since beating Moor Green 2-1 on October 20 - have got six vital league games between now and January 5 - and five of them are against sides who surround Newport in the league, starting with King's Lynn at Newport Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

The Norfolk side are tenth - eight places above County - but only four points clear of the Welshmen who have two games in hand.

So, three points for the home side would do very nicely for boss Harris, who is remaining positive and upbeat after some performances that have left their fans disgruntled.

"I can understand some of the fans' frustrations but I don't think we have played that badly," he said.

"Our last three games we have ground out two wins and a creditable draw at Worcester, which is always a tough place.

"We play all the teams around us over Christmas and New Year, and if we pick up points we could be in the challenging pack by January."

Captain and right-back Darren Robison (knee ligaments) is set to be out for up to eight weeks and defender/midfielder Jason Perry (foot) and midfielder Scott Walker (ankle) are also still missing.

Steve Cowe (hamstring) is also doubtful.

Newport County (from): P Mountain, A Thomas, B Clark, J Eckhardt, S Benton, R Souter, S James, M Rose, N Davies, D Ryan, M Paul, G Shephard, S Cowe, R Edwards, R Jones, R Plant, A Carter, M T