NEWPORT County last night bolstered their squad ahead of today's crucial relegation battle against Margate with the signing of Swansea City's highly-rated striker Chad Bond.

The Wales under-19 international, who has joined on a month's loan, is regarded as one of the top youth prospects at the Vetch Field.

He becomes the second Swansea youngster to join County this season after Antonio Corbisiero impressed at the end of last year.

And he comes on the back of an outstanding performance for the Swans' reserves against Yeovil in midweek where he scored two goals and made another in a 3-2 victory.

"He is absolutely flying at the moment after the Yeovil match and hopefully he can keep up that form for us," said County boss John Cornforth.

"We are getting him at a great time because he is bang in form and hopefully he will hit the ground running.

"He scored twice against a very experienced Yeovil side and will bring us another attacking option.

"He is quick and holds the ball up well but, more importantly, he can get goals."

He added: "I spoke to Neville Southall about him, who took him on tour last year with the Wales squad, and he gave the lad a high recommendation.

"He has been tipped for great things at Swansea and has scored for them in the FAW Premier Cup (against Caernarfon). Hopefully he can get a few for us."

Although Cortez Belle is set to join from Chester City in the next week or so as well, Cornforth is still in the market for more players to help the bid to fight off relegation, but he admits that it has been a struggle.

"There have been loads of names but it is hard to persuade league clubs to allow players to come down to the Nationwide South," he said.

"I have been all over the country this week without getting too much joy but I am still confident that I can get in another two or three players in the next week or so."

Before then County take on Margate at Spytty Park today (kick-off 3pm) in another vital encounter.

The Exiles are currently just one point above the relegation zone and with the clubs below them having one or two games in hand, there is no margin for error, a point not lost on Cornforth.

"We need a win because it is tight down there," he said. "People can talk about needing five wins or so to be safe but regardless of that, we need to get points on the board.

"We have Grays next week and I am not saying that we won't be giving it a right go, but they have been sticking six goals past sides every other week, so we can't bank on getting anything there."