Shane Howarth has recovered from a badly cut thumb and returns to the Newport team for Saturday night's Welsh/Scottish League game against bottom side Caerphilly at Virginia Park.

Howarth cut his thumb tendons early in the second half of Newport's Celtic League quarter-final at Leinster almost a fortnight ago and missed last Friday's league match at Llanelli - the first time he's been unavailable this season.

Dale Burn is set to partner Howarth, but Ofisa Tonu'u will be on the bench, assuming he returns from New Zealand on schedule on Friday following the death of his mother.

With Andy Marinos out with a broken nose, Matthew Watkins switches to his favoured outside centre position and Ben Breeze resumes on the left wing.

Chris Anthony starts at tighthead, as expected in view of Adrian Garvey's suspension, and Ceri Jones comes in at loosehead.

Two more changes involve Mike Voyle at lock and Joe Powell at number eight after they made a big impact as late replacements at Llanelli.

Ian Gough steps down after playing for Wales last month and Andrew Powell rests a niggling thigh injury.

Gareth Gravell remains at openside, though Jason Forster hopes to be fit for the Boxing Day game against Ebbw Vale.

Making his first appearance in the Newport 22 for two months is backrow Alix Popham, recovered from a broken wrist and named on the bench.

Newport are taking no chances against Caerphilly, still seeking their first league win. They pushed Swansea all the way at St Helen's last week and have been invigorated by a new coaching team of former Wales stars Terry Holmes, Tony Faulkner and Mark Ring.

Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, M Watkins, J Pritchard, B Breeze, S Howarth, D Burn, C Jones, J Richards, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (captain), M Voyle, P Buxton, J Powell, G Gravell. Replacements: H Luscombe, J Strange, O Tonu'u/L Lane, R Snow, P Young, I Gough, A Popham. Kick off 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, Newport now top the under-21 league after beating Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale 30-15 last night at Eugene Cross Park. The Black and Ambers top the table on try count from Cardiff while Vale remain fourth.

Wingers Matthew Cunningham and Nathan Brew touched down for Newport along with hooker Simon Jenkins, and they were also awarded a penalty try.

Outside-half Rhys Gosling, in fine form, kicked two conversions and two penalties. Ebbw Vale scored two tries from their centre Adam Sliczny and prop Greg Burns, and outside-half Richard Jenkins kicked a penalty and a conversion.