EBBW Vale will be looking for a big performance from inspirational skipper John Bowd when he returns from illness against Bridgend.

The back rower missed last weekend's win over Maesteg after being laid up with a virus but he returns to the fold at the Brewery Field.

The Steelmen got a bonus point victory that took them back to the top of the table without the 27-year-old but head coach Pat Horgan is looking forward to welcoming him back to his pack tomorrow afternoon, knowing that they cannot afford to slip up.

Vale have lost their last two games away from their Eugene Cross Park home, Glamorgan Wanderers and Cross Keys their conquerors, and they know they need to cure their travel sickness if they are to be genuine title challengers.

Horgan said: "He is the club captain and is having a really good season, so it is a big boost to have him back. He has got the desire, works his socks off and is a terrific ball carrier.

"Bowdy is the sort of player that others follow and that is especially important when you are playing away from home.

"We've lost our last two games away from home so this is a really crucial one - you've got to win these if you want to challenge at the top of the table."

The Ravens are struggling at the basement but their recent form shows that they are far from relegation fodder.

Back-to-back wins over Maesteg and Glamorgan Wanderers lifted them off the bottom but they crashed back to earth last week with defeat to Newport despite outscoring their hosts two tries to one.

"They are not as bad a side as their league position would suggest," said Horgan. "We got a win there last year on the first day of the season and it was a hell of a result - they had finished second the season before while Ebbw Vale had just stayed up.

"I suppose the roles have been reversed this time and people will be expecting us to get the win. Both sides will be fighting for every point for different reasons and there will be plenty of hunger and desire from both teams."

Wing Simon Hunt's knee is recovering nicely following his injury at Cross Keys a fortnight ago and his is expected to be out for another two weeks. Number eight Rhys Williams is going to be out for around a month with his shoulder problem.

And the Steelmen have been given a huge boost with the news that young outside half Dai Langdon, who fractured his kneecap in a pre-season game with Coventry, could be back in a fortnight.

Ebbw Vale: A McLaughlan, J Williams, A Bramwell, J Lewis, A Bevan, M Delore, R Lewis, I George, R Wilkes, A Lott, W Thomas, N Edwards, N Aiono, J McPhail, J Bowd (captain). Replacements: K Owen, B Shelbourne, M Jones, M Williams, M Griffin, W Jones, AN Other.