PAT Mountain, Newport County goalkeeper, is determined to line-up against Stafford Rangers tomorrow.

He took a nasty last-minute knock in the Dr Martens League defeat at Weymouth in midweek - and was really upset by the challenge and so too was manager Peter Nicholas.

Mountain was caught on the right thigh by Weymouth substitute Kevin Gill and was surprised that it was only a yellow card handed out to the replacement for first goalscorer Ian Hutchinson after only eight minutes in the action.

Mountain missed a chunk of last season because of knee ligament damage, County calling up Gareth Wesson from Newport YMCA to finish off the season.

Mountain, who missed the last 12 matches, said: "It was very sore after the game and I cannot believe the player didn't get sent off. It is that type of challenge which can stop people from working. I was pretty upset with the challenge.

"I couldn't walk after the game but I am pretty confident of playing against Stafford. Although I didn't train last night I do recover quite quickly. After missing the end of last season, I don't want to lose out."

Mountain is County's only injury worry as they go in search of their first Premier Division victory - and also their first at Stafford.

County have not won in five visits, suffering four defeats including a record-equalling 6-1 thumping in the 1995-96 campaign.

Nicholas added: "It will be a difficult game for us. They were one of the teams I fancied to do well. We feel that the way we played in our two games we should have had more points."

Stafford, runners-up last season, are at the wrong end of the table with County after an away draw against Eastbourne Borough which was followed by a 3-0 defeat in front of their own fans against Nuneaton Borough in midweek. Beware a backlash County.