NEWPORT look set to welcome back some experienced heads for tomorrow’s trip to Port Talbot but head coach Mike Knight has praised the youngsters who shone in their absence last Saturday.

Captain Matt Norris and ex-skipper Michael Clayden are expected to return to the Newport side this weekend, along with seamer Harry Powell and allocated Glamorgan star Nick Selman.

Selman smashed a match-winning century to see the Welsh county home in a dramatic final-over victory against Durham in Swansea on Monday.

Two days prior to Selman’s St Helen’s heroics, Newport earned a winning draw in their South Wales Premier League Division One clash with Bridgend at Spytty Park.

And it was several of the reigning champions’ young guns who starred for stand-in skipper Imran Hassan and his hosts.

Joe Voke and Callum Taylor both scored 52 in Newport’s 39-over total of 182-5, while Oliver Ebsworth-Burland added a very useful 28 off 42 balls.

Voke and Taylor also claimed one wicket in Bridgend’s reply, which had reached 180-7 at the close.

“We were really pleased with last Saturday because we had a few players out as there was a wedding,” said Knight.

“Obviously it was a big game as they were top of the league and our game the previous week had been abandoned so we didn’t pick up many points for that.

“The young players who came in did really well with Joe, Callum and Ollie helping us get a good score.

“Bridgend got off to a good start in reply but we pegged them back and Joe bowled a great last over to stop Bridgend getting the seven they needed to win.”

He added: “At the moment the club has got a very strong set of youngsters but they know they’ve got to bide their time, and when they do get an opportunity they’ve got to take it.

“Last weekend was a perfect example of youngsters taking their chance to show what they can do – they took their opportunity with both hands.”

Knight has been impressed with the way Port Talbot have started the new campaign, particularly as they lost the services of some key players during the close season.

Port Talbot, in fourth, are one point better off than fifth-placed Newport in the table.

Meanwhile, in Division Two, unbeaten leaders Newport Fugitives host Miskin Manor and Panteg entertain Ynystawe.

Newbridge and Sudbrook are the only unbeaten sides after four games in Division One of the South East Wales League.

A trip to bottom side Blackwood awaits Newbridge tomorrow and Sudbrook welcome Pentyrch to Mill Lane.

Malpas and Chepstow go to Brecon and Pontypridd respectively, while Usk host Croesyceiliog.