NEWPORT County captain Gary Warren will battle through the pain to lead his side out against Dover Athletic tomorrow.

The skipper, who this week signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the club until 2012, is desperate to play to help the Exiles reach the 100-point mark.

He will then take centre-stage as the Blue Square South trophy is presented to the champions in front of a packed Spytty Park after the match.

Warren is believed to be suffering from a condition known as Gilmore’s Groin, named after Jerry Gilmore – the London surgeon who first recognised this syndrome in 1980.

And he’s gone right to the top man for treatment, visiting Dr Gilmore himself in London on Monday.

Tests are expected to show damage to the tissue that surrounds the inguinal canal – a tear to the aponeurosis (a sheet like tendon) of the external oblique muscle and/or a tear to the tendon of the internal oblique muscle.

The centre-back has not taken part in full training in the past few weeks but has been told he can continue to play before having an operation in the summer.

“I’ve not trained as much as I’d have liked but I should be fine to play on as long as we manage the injury successfully,” said the 24-year-old.

“I had to go off near the end last week because the pain became too much but I’ll be fit to face Dover.”

That’s good news for manager Dean Holdsworth who is looking for a reaction from his players after an abject performance in the 4-0 defeat at play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville.

“Last week was a big disappointment for everyone,” admitted Warren.

“We didn’t play well but we’ve got to put that behind us and focus on beating Dover to get to the 100 points.

“That would be an incredible achievement and after what we’ve done this season nobody can say we don’t deserve it.

“Once we do that we can enjoy the party with the trophy and the open-top bus parade on Sunday.”

Unlike many of his teammates, Warren has been a champion before – winning the Southern League Division One West with Mangotsfield United in 2005. But it’s a bit longer since he raised aloft a championship trophy as captain.

“I won the league at Mangotsfield and the play-offs with Team Bath but I think I’d probably have to go back to primary school since I received a trophy as captain,” he added.

“I can’t wait. It should be a great weekend for the fans and all of us.”