NEWPORT are looking to avenge their only pointless encounter of the Principality Premiership season when they welcome Ebbw Vale to Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Black and Ambers, who have suffered an injury blow with flanker Craig Attwell facing three months on the sidelines with a torn bicep, have made an encouraging start to the campaign despite last weekend's frustrating loss at Cardiff.

Newport led 22-8 at half-time in the capital but had to settle for a pair of bonus points after being stung by their hosts' comeback.

Nonetheless, they sit fifth in the table, four points off second, and have taken something from eight of nine games – the only fruitless fixture coming at Eugene Cross Park in round two.

Ebbw Vale were worthy winners but Newport forwards coach Ty Morris felt the 30-6 scoreline didn't tell the whole story.

"It was a very frustrating loss and the score didn't reflect the game – they weren't 24 points better than us," he said.

"We wasted a number of chances early on and not completing after line breaks and being accurate in the 'red zone' has been one of our downfalls this season.

"If we want to compete at the top of the table we have to finish off our chances."

"Ebbw Vale had a really good win against Pontypridd last week but we are just concentrating on ourselves," he continued.

"With a break for the British and Irish Cup coming up it is crucial that we put in a big performance. We have talked about making Rodney Parade a fortress this season and after a couple of wins (against Bedwas and Llandovery) we need to keep making it a difficult place to come."

Ebbw Vale burgled the points late on when visiting Newport last season and make the short trip south in buoyant mood after their fantastic win against the champions at Sardis Road.

The Steelmen triumphed 26-18 against a Ponty side that beat them four times last season, including in the grand final, but head coach Nigel Davies is keeping feet firmly on the ground.

"We won't overreact after a win, just like we haven't after losses," he said. "Of course we were delighted with the win and the performance – it was no fluke – but last Saturday has been and gone, we have to move on quickly for another huge challenge.

"We want to keep moving forward Newport are above us in the league at the moment and their form has been better than ours since the game earlier in the season.

"We aren't reading anything into that win because both sides have moved on since then – even though the scoreline was convincing I was less happy with that performance than I was in the three games we lost last month."

Ebbw captain Damien Hudd is a doubt for the clash with the groin injury that forced his late withdrawal against Ponty.