County v Torquay

NEWPORT County winger Sam O'Sullivan believes the FA Trophy IS a distraction from the Exiles' Blue Square South promotion aspirations - but an entirely welcome one.

County entertain Torquay United in the second round of the competition at Spytty Park today with the Gulls riding high in second place in the Conference.

With a bumper crowd expected at the Newport Stadium it should be an occasion to relish and O'Sullivan is certain a run in the competition will only boost the Exiles' promotion push.

He explained: "Playing in the cup is a distraction, but it is helpful to focus on something else, even if we are back into league mode straight afterwards.

"We want to play in the Conference as soon as possible and what better way to test ourselves than to meet one of the best teams?

"Last year we were hit hard by playing so many cup games, but this season we feel our squad has depth and we have no worries about playing in every game we can.

"Ashley Evans and I were only talking the other day saying we wished we were still in the Setanta Shield because it's a great chance for the fringe players to get competitive football."

It seems almost strange to describe O'Sullivan as a fringe' player such was his influence in County's unforgettable late run of form at the end of last season.

During that time the former academy player, still only 21-years old, seemed to finally find his place within the Exiles ranks, having almost been punished for his versatility under former boss John Cornforth when he was mainly deployed as a striker.

However, this season has been horrendous for O'Sullivan, ruled out for almost three months with ankle ligament damage.

"I just don't really know how to be injured, I think this is the first time I have missed more than two games in my whole career," he said.

"It has been very frustrating but at least we've been doing well.

"I have worked really hard on my fitness in recent weeks and now all I need is match sharpness."

O'Sullivan is likely to be on the bench this afternoon, even if Jason Bowen fails to shrug off a knee injury.

However, if Bowen regains match fitness in the next week then O'Sullivan is likely to go out on loan, possibly in a double-deal to Yate who will also get Shane Brewer for a month from Monday.

O'Sullivan is aware that a similar spell at Merthyr changed his season last term and is ready for a similar experience again.

"If the gaffer tells me I am going out on loan then I have no problem with it at all, it could be just what I need," he said.

"Last year I only played two-and-a-half games for Merthyr but it really got me going and helped with my confidence as well.

"We have a long way to go this season and I feel I can still play a big part."

Meanwhile the Exiles will be without defender Lee Jarman today as he is suspended and Mark Dodds will deputise.

l Due to the poor weather, today's clash is subject to a 9am pitch inspection.