NEWPORT head coach Craig Warlow will lock horns with a former club for the second week running tomorrow as the Black and Ambers look to do to Bridgend what they did to Llanelli.

Bridgend-born Warlow, who turned out for the Ravens from 2000-2003, takes Newport to the Brewery Field tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) following last Friday’s 33-10 defeat of the West Walians.

It was wrongly reported before the Llanelli game that fly-half Matt O’Brien had played his last match for the Rodney Parade side.

While he is out of the Bridgend clash due to Wales U18 coaching commitments, O’Brien is still very much a key member of the Newport squad – Haydn Simons replaces him this weekend.

Full-back Geraint O’Driscoll is unavailable for the Principality Premiership encounter and centre Haydn Palmer has relocated to Dubai, but Jonny Morris returns after injury and fellow wing Harri Lang could also be back.

“Bridgend are going really well,” said Warlow. “They had a great win at Llandovery last weekend and we’re expecting a huge challenge at the Brewery Field.

“They are my local club and I usually see them live, but I haven’t this season, although I’ve seen plenty of them on video and I’ve been in touch with people there and know how they’re going.”

Newport are currently fifth in the table, two points above Llandovery and a further three clear of Aberavon.

Warlow, who is aiming for a top-six finish, added: “If we keep winning then we’ll put pressure on the teams around us. The ball is in our court, we just have to carry on picking up wins to stay in with a chance of finishing in the top six.”

On the change at fly-half, Warlow said: “Haydn went really well at 15 against Llanelli and has those transferable skills, and he’s naturally a 10 anyway so will fit in this weekend and hopefully keep his performance levels high.”