Newport County travel to Berkshire this morning for a behind closed doors friendly against a Reading XI.

The match at the Championship club’s Hogwood Park training ground kicks-off at 12.30pm this afternoon.

County manager Anthony Hudson will use the game as another opportunity to run the rule over right-backs Paul Rodgers and Paul Robson as he looks to replace the departed Paul Bignot.

The Exiles boss is keen on bringing both players to Spytty Park after they impressed in Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over League Two Cheltenham.

“We are close to agreeing deals with both Paul Rodgers and Paul Robson,” said Hudson.

“Rodgers wants to be a Newport County player and it is just about finalising the details now.

“And Robson has agreed terms and will play against Reading with a view to signing later this week.

“They can both play at right-back,” he added. “And Paul Robson can play as a defensive midfielder so they would be valuable additions to the squad.”

After today’s match, the Exiles complete their pre-season programme by hosting Premier League Bolton Wanderers on Saturday before trips to Neath on Friday, August 5, and Undy Athletic the following day.

They kick-off their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign with an away match against Kettering Town on Saturday, August 13, and the Northamptonshire club yesterday confirmed that the match will not take place in Kettering.

The Poppies will leave Rockingham Road to play their matches at Rushden & Diamonds’ Nene Park in nearby Irthlinborough.

The move follows Diamonds’ expulsion from the league last month over financial problems with Nene Park offering considerably better facilities than the crumbling Rockingham Road.

“We’ve been playing our pre-season matches at Rockingham Road but we will be at Nene Park for the Newport game and for the whole season,” said a club spokesman.