COUNTY V CARSHALTON (FA Trophy Tomorrow KO 7.45)

AFTER their Wembley dreams were put on ice on Saturday, Newport County aim to book a place in the FA Trophy quarter-finals with victory over Carshalton Athletic tomorrow.

The last-16 clash was postponed on Saturday due to a frozen pitch but the club is hopeful that the Spytty Park surface will have recovered in time for the match to go ahead at the second attempt.

Temperatures are not set to drop below freezing before Tuesday night and one man hoping the match is played is new signing Adam Chapman.

The midfielder, who joined on loan from Oxford United last month, made his County debut as a substitute in the 3-2 victory at Gateshead.

But he’s desperate to show the Exiles fans what he can do at Spytty Park.

“Hopefully it will be on, I’m really looking forward to the game,” said Chapman. “The fans at Gateshead were fantastic because that is not a short journey is it?

“I was surprised that so many got up there and thankfully we gave them something to cheer about at the end.

“We knew we were unlucky to be 2-0 down and we got the goals we deserved.”

Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh praised Chapman for turning the game when he came on but the player himself is more modest about his contribution.

“They picked me up on the motorway and I think some of the boys thought they were letting some stray onto the coach,” he said.

“I did alright but it was a great team performance. I know this team has been a bit unlucky this season and they are in a bit of a false position but at the same time they are where they are for a reason and it was great to get three points.”

Chapman’s move to Spytty Park is part of his continuing rehabilitation after injury and time spent in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

He admits he is still not fully fit and is relishing the chance to get some game time under his belt.

“At the moment I’m just here for one month,” he added. “I’m here to get some minutes on the pitch and to help out Newport County.

“I’d be happy to stay on longer if the clubs both want that but it’s not up to me.

“Hopefully I can help the club move away from the relegation zone and progress in the cup.”

Chapman is keen to help realise the Exiles’ Wembley dream and he’s no stranger to playing at the famous old stadium after being named man of the match in Oxford’s play-off final victory over York City in 2010.

“That game was without a doubt the highlight of my career so far,” he said.

“It means so much to play at Wembley and I know the boys are excited by the prospect.

“If we can beat Carshalton then it’s wide open. There are only two or three of the big sides left in so who knows what can happen?”