PETER Nicholas has dealt his former club Newport County a huge blow ahead of tomorrow's daunting Conference South visit to Weymouth, by recalling defender Stuart Edwards from his loan spell.

Llanelli face Caernarfon Town in the Welsh Cup quarter-final and with a couple of injuries in his squad, Nicholas has invoked a recall clause, the player returning to the club.

Edwards formed an impressive partnership with Ian Hillier during his spell with County and boss Peter Beadle has admitted losing the player is a big blow.

"It is very unfortunate to be losing Stuart now, though we always knew there was a risk of this happening," he said.

"He has done very well for us and I know Peter (Nicholas) has been impressed with him, but certainly he is a player we may look to try and bring in during the summer."

Beadle is keen to reinforce his defence as quickly as possible - Andrew Thomas is expected to rejoin the club though he is well short of match fitness at the moment and must first impress with Cwmbran Town - meaning new recruits are now being chased in defence as well as attack.

"A central defender is now a priority along with bringing in a striker, I would hope to move quickly on this but I am not sure if anything can be done before Saturday," Beadle said.

It's not all doom and gloom ahead of the frightening trip to big spending league leaders Weymouth, County's treatment room is no longer resembling a casualty ward, finally offering a boost to a club now bottom of the Conference South.

Midfielders Gary Fisken and Jason Bowen are both now back to full-fitness and left-back Geraint Bater is recovering well from a cracked rib and should play tomorrow.

Matt Green trained at Spytty Park on Wednesday and though his ankle injury is not completely clear, it is thought that he has a decent chance of recovering in time or at least Wednesday's game with Hayes.

Long-term knee ligament absentee Lee Jenkins is also progressing well. It is hoped that he will resume full training sometime next week.

Ian Hillier, who missed Saturday's disappointing defeat to Lewes after serving a suspension for receiving five yellow cards, is available to partner Paul Cochlin in central defence.

Beadle is under no illusions as to the size of the task ahead but believes all the pressure is on the home side.

"We are scrapping for our lives, but they have a massive budget and even bigger aspirations, the pressure is on them to dominate us and to get the win.

"We have taken seven points from nine on the road and have beaten two good sides, Weymouth have lost seven games this season and nothing is impossible."