NEWPORT County midfielder Scott Rogers is fit to play at Ebbsfleet United tonight – despite having eight stitches in a gash to his head.

The 32-year-old was led off the field against Grimsby Town on Saturday with blood pouring from a deep wound after an accidental kick from the Mariners’ Tyrone Thompson.

New signing Ryan Gilligan, who replaced him at the weekend, is likely to start at Stonebridge Road but Braveheart Scott has refused to be ruled out of tonight’s trip to Kent, insisting to manager Anthony Hudson that he is available for selection.

“Scott had a nasty cut and he’s had eight stitches put in but he is fit to play,” said the Exiles boss. “He’ll be strapped up and ready to go.”

Right-back Paul Robson is also back in contention after recovering from the thigh strain, which has kept him out of the past two games at Spytty Park – a 4-0 win over Hayes & Yeading and Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Grimsby.

That means that County hit the road again with a fully fit squad to pick from, apart from longer-term casualty Darryl Knights (knee).

Captain Gary Warren, who led the Great Britain team to the final of the World Student Games football tournament where they lost 2-0 to Japan last night, is also unavailable but should be back for Saturday's trip to AFC Telford.

Ebbsfleet won their first point at promotion hopefuls Stockport County on Saturday and will be looking for their first win in the Conference after promotion from the Blue Square Bet South last term.

Hudson is determined that his side will not underestimate their hosts, who are managed by Liam Daish – one of his rivals for the County job earlier this year.

“We can’t afford to take any team lightly and we go there with the utmost respect,” said Hudson.

“We’ve had them watched and they are a strong side.

“Just because they are part-time doesn’t mean they will be any less of a test than a massive club like Grimsby.

“I thought we stood up well on Saturday and we haven’t conceded in two games.

“I don’t think Danny Potter has had a save to make in those games so we’re confident.”

Grimsby would have been dispatched with their tail between their legs if striker Craig McAllister had converted his 77th minute penalty.

Hudson was full of support for his summer recruit from Crawley but stopped short of backing him to take a spot-kick tonight.

“Craig is a fantastic player and he doesn’t need to prove anything. He’ll be massive for us this season,” he said.

“There is a lot of talk about this club missing penalties but this is a new group of players and I don’t think that we have a problem there.”

But will McAllister step up to the plate if the opportunity arises this evening? “I don’t know,” was Hudson’s honest answer.