BRIDGEND are so hard hit by injuries they can't yet name a side for tomorrow's visit by Newport in the Welsh/Scottish League, but they are still confident of winning.

Ebbw Vale old boys Josh Taumalolo, Nathan Budgett and Deiniol Jones are all ruled out, as are Craig Warlow, Chris Ferris and John Teale.

Yesterday there were eight other players on the treatment table, while coach Dennis John was also out of action, moving house.

"It's impossible to name a team. We had only 12 players training on Monday, but we will meet at midday on Saturday and see who's fit," said club chairman Derrick King.

"We've got the greatest respect for Newport. They've got a strong squad with a forceful, powerful pack and when they gel as a unit they are one of the best in Welsh rugby. "But we still stand a good chance against them, we'll still give them a good game and we expect to win."

Bridgend have won just three of their seven games this season despite a host of big name signings in the summer like Dafydd James and Gareth Thomas (pictured), who starred for Wales this week.

"It makes me smile when I read about our big money signings," said King. "Dafydd has played only a couple of games for us, Nathan a couple and Deiniol none at all.

"We reckon we won't have a full squad until November, so judge us then. "Newport also made some big signings and they struggled at first, but we said 'give them six months and they'll be a good team.'

"We still showed glimpses of being a very good side against Glasgow, who rated us the best side they had faced this season.

"And we were only 29-27 down against Leinster when we lost four players with injury, including Josh and Nathan.

"That was the most number of players anyone has had injured in any game. We'd been playing well up to then."