NEWPORT have been dealt another injury blow in the run up to their last warm-up game before the start of the new season.

Prop Adrian Garvey (pictured) has picked-up an ankle knock playing a friendly against Bristol last Sunday - but he should be fit to face Caerphilly at Rodney Parade in the Premier Division a week Saturday.

Wing Matt Mostyn (knee) and back-row forward Alix Popham (burns) will also miss the warm-up but will be fit to face Caerphilly.

But Welsh international Jason Jones-Hughes has been told he will miss the first four to six weeks of the new season due to a knee injury he picked up against Swansea last season.

The good news for Newport is that new signing from Pontypool 27-year-old outside-half Jason Strange will be on the replacements' bench.

However, Newport chiefs will be boosted by the announcement that Rodney Parade will host two show-piece occasions later this season.

The Welsh Rugby Union has announced that as Principality Cup winners, the Black and Ambers will play Uruguay when the South Americans tour Wales on November 18. And Wales A will play France A at the riverside ground on February 15.

Newport chief executive Keith Grainger said: "It is a privilege to be holding such occasions at Rodney Parade.

"To face any touring team is a great honour for a club side. Newport was once firmly placed on every touring team's fixture list and I am sure the Black and Ambers will relish the challenge of coming up against the South American side as they prepare to face Wales.

"Wales A versus France A is likely to be a huge occasion. These are two Six Nations countries with players who will all have a big point to prove in terms of achieving full international caps.

"We know the Newport fans are faithful to the Black and Ambers and I am sure they will turn out in force once again."

Newport team v Aberavon: Matt Pini, Hal Luscombe, Matthew Watkins, Andrew Marinos, Ben Breeze, Shane Howarth, Dale Burn, Rod Snow, Paul Young, Chris Anthony, Gareth Taylor, Simon Raiwalui (c), Peter Buxton, Jason Forster, Andrew Powell.

Replacements from: Emyr Lewis, James Rowles, Jon Pritchard, Nathan Brew, Jason Strange, Llyr Lane, Ceri Jones, James Richards, Chris Thomas, David Pattison, Dell Cross, Gareth Gravell, Joe Powell.

First published on Friday 17 August 2001: