NEWPORT County boss Peter Beadle is sweating on the fitness of defender Andrew Thomas ahead of tonight's massive Conference South clash with Hayes at Spytty Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

County will leapfrog their visitors with a victory and pull out of the relegation zone.

But with Lee Jenkins - who played at right back in Saturday's win over Sutton United - almost certainly out of the clash, Beadle is desperate to see Thomas return after straining ankle ligaments.

He explained: "Jenkins is suffering with a sore knee, which is tremendously frustrating with such a vital run of games coming up. He tweaked it at the end of the Sutton game and is extremely doubtful, so ideally I would like (Andrew) Thomas back in the side.

"At the moment I would rate Thomas as 60-40, but if he doesn't make it we'll switch things around. 'Tubbs' (Thomas) will be fit for Saturday, but I am just not sure if he will be ready for tonight."

However, there us a surprise boost for County with the vastly experienced Andy Legg almost certain to make a farewell appearance before departing to take an assistant manager's role with Peterborough United, one of his former clubs.

County have improve beyond recognition in the past few weeks, a creditable 1-1 draw at Bognor followed up with straight victories against Basingstoke, Bishop's Stortford and Sutton.

"A few weeks ago things looked very difficult for us in terms of getting out of the predicament we were in, but now we are in charge of our own destiny and are starting to show the quality I know we have," said Beadle.

"It is so important to get on a run and stay on a run. Confidence is high at the moment and we are getting a bit of luck as well. We are far better defensively than we have been and need to keep the momentum going with a win over Hayes.

"We owe them one after losing very unluckily up there last year and now is the time to put that right."

It is understood that County's board and Beadle have begun the process of tying current players to a contract for next season.

A host of players in County's first team squad are at the club on a non-contract basis and it is understood one contract has already been agreed for next season and should be signed before tonight's game.

If Beadle is without Jenkins and Thomas, midfielder Ashley Williams, whose form has been much improved in recent weeks, will deputise in defence with Gary Fisken returning to the side in midfield alongside Nathan Davies.

If he plays, it will be Williams' 99th appearance for County.

County (from) Pennock, Blackburn, Bater, Cochlin, Thomas, Brough, Hillier, Hearne, S O'Sullivan, Toppar, Bowen, A Williams, N Davies, Fisken, Green, Hughes, Bailey, Prosser.