NEWPORT County new boy Sam Bowen is one of those guys who can say he's been there and worn the T-shirt and really mean it.

The hitman has compiled a decent footballing resume that includes Worcester City, Merthyr Tydfil, Bromsgrove Rovers and Forest Green and in recent years he has even played rugby at successful Herefordshire side Luctonians. On top of this he has also been involved in a serious motor accident.

If that was not enough he banged in five goals in his debut for Merthyr, and hat-tricks in his first games for Worcester, and at Forest Green.

Bowen has joined Peter Nicholas' side in time to face Cardiff City in Monday's FAW Premier Cup quarter-final at Spytty Park (kick off 7.30pm) and he is well up for his latest challenge.

He said: "I am really looking forward to it. I played in the Premier Cup with Merthyr but that was years ago so this will be good.

"I have only trained once with the lads but they seem like a good bunch of boys and my first impressions are really good. I just want to play my part."

Bowen is not sure if he will be thrown in at the deep end on Monday but insists that he would be ready if called on, regaining full fitness after a 12 week lay off with whiplash sustained in a car accident.

He said: "I am now back to full fitness after a spell out after the crash but I feel fine now, raring to go.

"I would like to be involved but I won't take any offence if Peter Nicholas sticks with the side that had such a good result at Cambridge. So I will have to wait and see."

Bowen, from Kingsland near Hereford, also revealed his main passion - hitting the back of the net.

"I've played the last three games at Bromsgrove and am in good shape and now I just want to get on and do want I do best - that's scoring goals," he said.

"I have scored goals wherever I have played so hopefully I can do the same at County."

The 27-year-old striker is not guaranteeing a debut goal despite his incredible record.

He said: "I wouldn't read too much into that. I have managed to get some cracking debuts but that is just one game. I have to produce that form over the course of the season and that's what I'll be trying to do here."

* Regardless of the outcome on Monday night, there will be a penalty shoot-out at Spytty Park against Cardiff, just like last year. The difference this year is that County competition winner Dave Bowen will lead a team of fans to face Cardiff City supporters in a half time penalty competition, hoping to emulate last year's famous victory.