NEWPORT County AFC have sold their initial allocation of 500 tickets for Saturday’s League Two clash at Cheltenham Town and 500 more will be available at cash-only turnstiles on the day.

Only 60 miles and six points separate the teams ahead of what promises to be a vital day in the battle to avoid relegation.

County manager Graham Westley paid tribute to the club’s fans for their support.

“It’s a great local fixture and the fans will be there in their number,” he said.

“And haven’t they just been sensational? They way they’ve stayed with me and the players trough this difficult time and the way they’ve understood the circumstances and the job that needs doing has been wonderful.

“The support that you generate is second to none. It’s been testament to the football club and to the communication from the board right the way through.

“It’s at times like this where you see the value of having fans represented on the board and the communication of the job that needs doing from the board has been first class.”

Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson knows it’s vital that the home fans match the noise from the away end at Whaddon Road.

“The fans are going to be key in a big game like this,” said Johnson.

“They’re a massive part of what we’re trying to do and when you get that support it really does make you put in that extra that’s needed – beyond the call of duty.

“There’s a sense of responsibility – these people need a result – and it is one of those games that is a six-pointer.

“Newport are one of those sort of teams that will try to put the ball into your penalty area more often than most.

“That’s their game and their way of playing, so we’ll need that noise level and that support – a cheer every time we clear a cross or a long ball.

“It will be great if we can get a real partisan group of fans on the day because Graham is a wily old fox and he’ll be trying all the tricks of the trade.

“He’s done it very well over the years and when Graham Westley is in charge of a wounded animal – because they are competing with us at the moment – then he becomes dangerous.

“So we need all the support we can get.”

South Wales Argus:

Meanwhile, midfielder Josh Sheehan (above) could return to the County starting XI on Saturday after being rested last week.

The Swansea City loan star missed the 3-1 home win over Hartlepool United as he’s still struggling with an ankle injury picked up at Wycombe Wanderers on January 2.

“I didn’t play him in the reserves this week because I just want to nurse him back to full fitness,” said Westley.

“It was a nasty gash that he took to his ankle and he’s struggled in training with it.

“I think it was the right decision to leave him out last weekend and hopefully he’ll be much closer to being fit for a start this weekend.”