Newport County travel to Weymouth tonight (7.45pm) looking to bounce back from Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Chelmsford City, but a big boost is that Carl Dale is back in training.

The former Cardiff City striker had been set to retire after missing pre-season training with an Achilles tendon injury, but is back in light training.

The self-employed electrician had been worried another injury would seriously damage his business and after negotiations with Newport manager Tim Harris had decided to seek further medical advice and take a complete rest from football.

But while the 35-year-old has not signed a contract with the club, he will begin light training with the squad this week, with extra sessions on his own at Newport's Fitness First gym, where County have a sponsorship deal.

With fellow former teammate and close friend Jason Perry having joined Newport from Hull City in pre-season and with Jeff Eckhardt also joined from Cardiff, Dale could well be part of a Bluebird reunion at Spytty Park Stadium.

While it is too early to say when, or even if, Dale will play for Newport this season, it is a clear indication the veteran striker could be in the frame to re-establish his partnership with fellow striker Garry Shephard.

With current forwards Steve Cowe and Martin Paul not in goal-scoring form and with Shephard struggling with injury, Harris needs more options up front.

With teenage striker Raith Plant set to return to County, with just one more week left of his loan spell at Ton Pentre, the Newport manager may have a few more options.

For tonight's trip to Dorset, midfielder Nathan Davies is out with flu which hampered his first-half performance against Chelmsford City on Saturday and defender Billy Clark is again doubtful with a calf strain.

Although Perry's troublesome foot tendon injury is well on the road to recovery, the influential defensive midfielder will not be considered.

Harris will name his squad after giving fitness tests to midfielders Scott Walker and Stuart James, but is looking for a drastically improved performance.

Newport County are through to the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup after beating Basingstoke Town 3-0 in extra-time at Spytty Park Stadium last night.

Goals by Lewis Sommers, Delwyn Ewers and Matthew Shearman sealed the win. County will face Gloucester City or Chippenham Town in the last qualifying round. Newport County squad: P Mountain, D Robison, J Eckhardt, B Clark, S Benton, R Souter, M Rose, S Griffin, S James, S Walker, D Ryan, M Paul, S Cowe, G Shephard, A Thomas.