Newport County have been handed a plum FAW Premier Cup quarter-final clash with Nationwide Division Three club Swansea City (writes Peter Shuttleworth).

"I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present," beamed assistant manager Jason Perry (pictured), who captained Swansea's arch rivals Cardiff City for many years.

"What a draw - thank-you Santa. I'll have to go down the gym tomorrow," joked Perry. County are 44 pyramid places below their South Walian opposition - but beat them 2-1 in a pre-season friendly.

The two clubs have many links. Swansea boss Colin Addison managed the old Newport County on two occasions between 1977 and 1978 and then from 1982 until 1984-85 season - and he was a guest at last Monday's FAW Premier Cup group B clash between County and Cwmbran Town.

Addison's number two at the Vetchfield is Peter Nicholas, who is Newport born-and-bred, and County's keeper Pat Mountain is also trained by Swansea's veteran Welsh international stopper Roger Freestone.

"It will be like master against pupil," laughed Mountain. "There'll be plenty of banter but it'll be all good fun.

"It will be another big game where we can pit our wits against a league club because we matched Second Division Blackpool over two games. But I don't think they'll bring a weakened squad, they'll want to win," added the former Welsh under-21 and Cardiff goalie.

lNewport County had their game at Stafford Rangers postponed on Saturday 30 minutes before kick-off because the pitch was frozen and dangerous.

County play Welsh rivals Merthyr Tydfil in the Dr Martens Premier League on Boxing Day at Newport Stadium(1pm.).

Harris is definitely without captain and right-back Darren Robison (knee ligaments), who is out until late January at the earliest, and left-midfielder Scott Walker (ankle). Midfielder Matt Rose (leg) and defender/midfielder Jason Perry (foot) are available again after injuries.