NEWPORT back row forward Alix Popham is out for a month with a broken bone in his left wrist.

Popham suffered the injury in the opening match of the season against Caerphilly on August 25.

He has since played against Cardiff and Connacht, but has not been right. He has now visited a specialist who has informed him of the extent of the injury.

Fellow back row forward Joe Powell is also on the sidelines with a knee injury, and it could be another fortnight before he is fit.

It means Newport now have eight players injured. The others are Ian Gough (shoulder), Jason Jones-Hughes (knee), Andy Marinos (shoulder), Matt Mostyn (thigh), Nathan Brew (hip) and Gareth Gravell (ankle).

Some could return in Newport under-21 fixtures against Cardiff at Rodney Parade on Saturday (2.30pm) or Caerphilly at Virginia Park a week tomorrow (7.15pm) or for a Newport XV at Abergavenny on September 29.

Bridgend will still be well below strength when Newport visit the Brewery Field on Saturday for their Welsh/Scottish League fixture.

Already with eleven players injured, third choice outside half Paul Williams suffered a badly damaged hand against Ebbw Vale last Saturday.

And flanker Jamie Ringer had eight stitches inserted in a cut head Coach Dennis John said hookers Chris Ferris and Andrew Joy and outside half Cerith Rees might be available against Newport, but he did not expect the others to make it.

Top full back Josh Taumalolo is expected to be out for another month, as is his former Ebbw Vale teammate Nathan Budgett, who has a cracked fibia, while another former Vale player, second row Deiniol Jones, is also among those still injured.

"It's a very physical game now and we've just got to get on with it," said John. "It will be a very tough game against Newport because they usually play well against us as they showed last season."

Bridgend skipper Huw Harries added: "Newport's a massive game for us again, another it's vital we win.

"They are just coming thick and fast now against quality opposition."