CROSS Keys' charge for the Principality Premiership playoffs is building momentum but a Gnoll nightmare will ensure they don't take strugglers Neath lightly on Saturday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The men from Pandy Park have won five of their last six to climb to fourth in the table and last week turned over leaders Ebbw Vale 10-0 on their own patch thanks to a abrasive performance by their pack.

They need to keep the heat on third-placed Carmarthen Quins by avenging a 32-19 loss at Neath in November when Keys let a 19-7 lead slip.

"We have been clear in our message to the boys that we need to put a run together and we can't afford to win at Ebbw Vale one week then lose at home the next," said head coach Greg Woods.

"The pressure is on us and we need to be on the money because Neath are a dangerous side and anyone can beat anyone in this league.

"We were bitterly disappointed to lose at Neath earlier in the season and have had to wait a long time for this opportunity to put things right.

"We took our foot off the gas at Neath and got complacent but there is no danger of that this weekend.

"We can start an assault on the playoffs but that only happens if we win against Neath and keep our run going."

Keys will keep changes to a minimum, attempting to get the balance of keeping a settled side while enabling others to challenge for starting spots.

They will once again be without influential openside Scott Matthews, who is in the mix to play for the Dragons at Leinster on Sunday.

Bottom club Newport will be hoping their Gwent rivals can do them a favour by turning over Neath, who are in 11th place with a four-point advantage over the Black and Ambers.