BRISTOL Rovers manager John Ward says he will need to do little in the way of motivating his players before the Pirates renew hostilities with local rivals Newport County AFC for the first time in over 25 years this weekend.

Rovers triumphed 1-0 in Wales the last time the two sides met in a competitive fixture in 1987, before County went into freefall after going bankrupt.

Ward said: I don't think I'll have to do much to motivate the players for this game. There is only 20 or 30 miles separating the two clubs, so It is a derby of sorts and we'll also be taking a large following across the bridge.

"They'll have a partisan crowd themselves and those things will give both sets of players that little bit of an edge.

"They'll want to get one over on us and we'll be looking to do the same to them, but I'm looking forward what should be a game with a great atmosphere."

Rovers will arrive at Rodney Parade looking to secure what would be their first win of the campaign, and Ward said: "It goes without saying that we will be going all out to try to get our first win, but it won't be an easy game.

"Newport are in good shape and we will have to dig in and work really hard to get something out of the game."