Newport County v Doncaster Rovers: Tommy Rowe sure Rovers are '˜savvy' enough to combat sticky Newport pitch

Sticky being the operative word; the much-maligned Rodney Parade surface is likely to resemble a quagmire, with Newport sharing the pitch with Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC rugby sides.

Home manager Graham Westley has railed against the state of the playing arena, but he will be sage enough to realise that it is likely to serve as a leveller tonight.

Leaders Rovers started the week on a 3G surface before switching to a worn 11-a-side surface within the Keepmoat Stadium complex in an attempt to replicate the conditions that they will face.

Midfielder Tommy Rowe is confident that he and his team-mates can adapt to the conditions this evening as they aim to move eight points clear of second-placed Plymouth with victory.

Newport would move out of the bottom two with a win.

Rowe said: *We just need to remember that teams will (particularly) want to beat us now as we are top of the league and it is a compliment in many ways as who would not want to beat the current best team in the league?

“It will come down to concentration on the day and we have shown over time that we are very good at that. When it comes to the finest details of listening to the manager and staff, we take it on board really well and it has got us to where we are now.

“It is about being a bit intelligent and football savvy really.”

Last six games: Newport LLDDWD Doncaster WWWWWD.

Referee: D Webb (Co Durham).

Last time: Newport 3 Doncaster 2; September 20, 1986; Division Three.