NEWPORT centre Andy Marinos, pictured, is expecting another physical battle against Swansea tonight as Newport bid to complete a hat-trick of home victories over the Welsh champions.

Marinos has been involved in all Newport's clashes with the All Whites since joining the club from South Africa and was knocked-out in one.

But he is looking forward to the physical aspect and expecting a very tough fight from a Swansea side surprisingly down in seventh spot in the Welsh/Scottish League with Newport third.

"Despite the excitement of playing in Europe, I've always said Welsh derbies are probably the most physical games I've played in during my career, especially against Swansea," said Marinos.

"They are very physical and take the game to you and I'm playing against a great player in Scott Gibbs.

"So you have to be very, very sharp and on top of your game because one slip and they can capitalise.

"I do relish the physical battles. I think the more physical it is, the more alert and more physical you've got to become in order to withstand the battle.

"So I've really enjoyed the dog-fights that you get from Swansea and knowing John Plumtree (Swansea's coach) as I do as a personal friend, I know he always prepares his sides to do hard battle."

Marinos says injuries have been to blame for Swansea's poor start to the season and he warns they will be out to turn it around tonight.

"They will come here with nothing to lose. Their backs are against the wall and if they can turn over Newport at home it would be a major boost for the club and their supporters," he said.

"Last year they developed such a sound defensive system and really had their game all together.

"But they have been unfortunate with a lot of injuries in crucial areas and it's just a matter of them getting their rhythm back. They are a good side and can really turn it on."

But Marinos also emphasised that as well as Newport have performed recently, they can also get a lot better.

He said: "We are about fifty to sixty per cent of the way there. We've had a new coach with fresh ideas and a new game-plan the players have bought into well.

"There's nothing spectacular to the way we're playing. We've just been applying very basic rugby principles. That's been our success and we can build on it.

"We've had games where we've had lots of opportunities to finish off but haven't done it, so that needs improvement."

Newport team: M Pini, M Mostyn, J Pritchard, A Marinos, M Watkins, S Howarth, O Tonu'u, R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony, S raiwalui, M Voyle, P Buxton, J Forster, A Powell. Replacements: A Garvey, P Young, I Gough, M Gravelle, N Brew, J Strange, D Burn. Kick-off 7.05pm.

* Swansea's Wales second row Andy Moore is looking to his side to defeat Newport and turn their season around.

Moore, who misses the game after injuring a hand playing for his country against Ireland on Saturday, said: "Since I have been at Swansea I can't remember us losing as many games as we have so far.

"It's a question of getting things back on track and we know the size of the challenge facing us.

"Newport are probably playing a better standard of rugby than anyone in Wales right now, especially after beating Toulouse. But the nature of the beast is that Swansea need a big challenge to get focused and perhaps it will be the sort of match we need to turn the season around."

Swanses surprisingly leave Colin Charvis and Gavin Jenkins on the bench and give a late fitness test to full back Kevin Morgan.

Swansea: K Morgan/G Henson,, M Robinson, S Payne, S Gibbs, B Lima, S Martens, A Thomas/G Henson, D Morris, C Wells, B Evans, T Maullin, J Griffiths, G Lewis, H Jenkins, D Thomas. lThe match is being televised on BBC2 Scrum V at 6.45pm.