HISTON V COUNTY (Tomorrow KO 3pm)

NEWPORT County need just one win to get their campaign back on track, according to caretaker manager Tim Harris.

The Exiles face basement boys Histon tomorrow knowing that they are in a far stronger position than they could have been.

County have uncharacteristically been piling up the fixtures this term, relatively unaffected by weather related postponements.

That gave several of their rivals games in hand which have been played in the past couple of weeks, but the results have gone in County’s favour, particularly this midweek where none of the Exiles’ nearest threats managed to record a win.

That, incredibly, leaves County right on the heels of the top five, Harris’ men just three points outside of the playoff zone with 18 games still to play.

“The results definitely went for us, there is everything still to play for this season, we are right in the mix still,” Harris explained.

“This group of players can compete with anyone in the Conference and it’s about us getting back our form and confidence.

“We only need one win to do that, one result to break the bad run and then we will be back in business.”

Harris added a leftback – Michael Burns – to his squad yesterday and also revealed he’s closing in on a central midfielder.

The Argus can also reveal that Harris has a few striking options lined up as well, one likely to join on a loan deal before the end of the month and the close of the transfer window.

However, the Exiles still don’t know for certain what the future holds for vice captain Jamie Collins, currently a non-contract player who held talks with League Two Stevenage this week.

Harris could only confirm talks with Collins are “ongoing,” though he’d be loathed to lose him, particularly as skipper Gary Warren is still suspended.

If Collins is not in the squad for Histon, Harris is likely to hand a debut to player/coach Wayne Hatswell, now returned from honeymoon after signing from Dundalk.

“Wayne is ready to play, he came through the practice game (with Bristol Rovers) without any troubles at all.”

Harris is likely to have a fully fit squad to choose from but is sweating on Kerry Morgan, who will nevertheless travel to Histon tonight with the rest of the squad.

“Kerry has suffered a kick on the ankle, it’s a little swollen, but we’re monitoring it,” Harris said.

“We hope to have him available. He picked the injury up in the practice game with Bristol Rovers, but he looked really sharp in that game and we hope he’ll be ok.”