NEWPORT face a stiff examination of their Welsh Premier Division title aspirations tonight when they face Ponty-pridd at Rodney Parade.

Newport have not given up on their title hopes, though they are currently lying fourth having been deducted three points by the WRU over a match postponement earlier in the season.

Victory over Pontypridd would lift Newport to joint third alongside Cross Keys with the same number of games played and a home game against Cardiff to come on Sunday.

"We've got to keep winning. We've set a team goal of finishing in the top three with a new squad and we've got a chance of achieving that," said coach Dai Rees.

"It's in our own hands, and we could put Neath under pressure at the top (they're nine points ahead with a game in hand) but they would have to slip up as well.

"Pontypridd are playing some great rugby at the moment. I watched them against Pontypool last week and we'll have to perform at the top of our game if we are to beat them."

Despite a few decent performances recently Rees is looking for more consistency and more of the form shown against Llanelli.

"I'm still not happy with our overall level of performance, it was a bit sloppy on Saturday against Glamorgan Wanderers," he said. I know we scored 50 points, but if we play like that against Pontypridd we'll concede points. Consistency of performance is the thing and that only comes with pushing the bar up every time we play."

Newport have injury problems, especially in the pack. At lock Ben Thomson is with Wales Under-21s, who head to France, while Neil Edwards and Darren Davies are struggling with foot and back injuries, respectively. It is hoped one of them will make it, otherwise Nick Kelly will have to move from blindside flanker. There is also a doubt about prop Ian Evans who has a groin strain.

Team: J Rowles, G Chapman, R Shorney, R Payne, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Griffiths, J Ireland, G Robinson, K Crawford, I Evans/D Pattison, M Veater (captain), N Edwards/D Davies, N Kelly, R Jones, S Waldron.

Replacements from: D Pattison, N Edwards or D Davies, G Mason, A Brown, M Popham or P Williams, G Hall, S Ireland. Kick off 7.15pm.