NEWPORT County have signed debut-scoring specialist Sam Bowen from Bromsgrove Rovers in time for their bid to dump Cardiff out of the FAW Premier Cup for the second year running.

The big striker, 27, netted FIVE goals in his first appearance with Merthyr Tydfil against Gravesend, a hat-trick in his first match for Worcester and then unbelievably bagged another a hat trick in his debut for Forest Green against Northwich in December.

The hitman is now in line to make his debut in County's crunch clash with the Bluebirds at Spytty Park on Monday night and boss Peter Nicholas will be hoping that he keep up his amazing record in front of what should be a capacity crowd.

The Exiles boss joked: "That would be really handy! I am pleased to get him because he is someone who we have been trying to get in for quite a while.

"He is a big strong player, an Andy Gray type, and he will help the squad."

Nicholas hopes that he will give County a bit of a presence up front to help out Garry Shephard.

He said: "It has been a problem we have had for quite a while and I had been trying to get someone in."

With a vital three points in the bag after their trip to Cambridge, Nicholas' attention is now turning his attention to Cardiff's visit and he is hoping to put on a good show for the fans after a poor run of home results.

Last year County dumped Cardiff out of the Premier Cup on penalties and Nicholas will be looking for a repeat against their close rivals

And with a lot of money in the tournament, £100,000 for the winners, both sides will be taking it seriously.

He said: "We don't know what kind of side they are going to put out but we want to make up for the disaster of last week against Worcester.

"The last thing I want is to lose four or five goals to them and they could be up for it after last year."

Meanwhile, County winger Raith Plant has joined Welsh Premier Division strugglers Barry Town on loan until the end of the season in a bid to give him some first team experience.

* Tickets for the Cardiff City match will be on sale at Sportsmad, Unit 37, Newport Market on Thursday February 22, between 10.30am and 4pm.

* Cardiff goal-scoring ace Robert Earnshaw was today linked with Fulham in a £5m deal to replace Louis Saha who has gone to Manchester United.