NEWPORT County boss Peter Beadle is hoping midfielder and captain Jason Bowen will be fit for tomorrow's vital Conference South visit to Histon (kick-off 3pm).

Bowen was replaced at half time during last weekend's draw with Welling United and will undergo a late fitness test on Saturday to see if he has sufficiently recovered from the injury.

However, fellow midfield men Lee Jenkins and Ashley Williams are both out as County seek to maintain a six game unbeaten run that has taken them out of the Conference South relegation zone.

Jenkins has suffered a recurrence of his medial knee ligament injury and is unlikely to feature again this season.

Williams, who recently made his 100th appearance in a County shirt, is serving a two game suspension after collecting ten yellow cards this season and will also miss Monday's clash at home to Farnborough (kick-off 3pm).

"Ashley, on current form, will be a really big miss for us because in recent weeks he really has been excellent," Beadle said.

"In our recent run of good form he has been one of the brightest lights and it is a real blow to lose him for what are of course our two most important games of the season.

"Jenkins is also out, but we are hopeful Jason will recover and we will give him every chance to do so.

"He has responded well to treatment this week and can hopefully play a big part in the weekend."

Meanwhile, several County players, including Bowen, are taking advantage of an initiative by the club to help them prepare for life away from football.

The scheme, in association with Acorn recruitment, allows players to earn qualifications towards a future career.

Boss Beadle is hugely enthusiastic about the scheme, believing it to be of benefit to both the players and the club.

"It is a really good scheme, offering the players flexible, manual, enjoyable work away from football to supplement their wages.

"It is also good for me as a manager because it is another thing I can offer players who may want to come to the club, but can't quite financially justify moving here without other work as well."