NEWPORT head coach Craig Warlow has demanded his on-song charges keep striving for better as they prepare for their trip to old foes Cardiff in the Principality Premiership (kick-off 1.30pm).

The Black and Ambers have made an excellent start to the season with five wins from eight, the latest a super 28-20 success against Llandovery.

Last season they propped up the Premiership and were saved from relegation by SSE Swalec Championship winners Bargoed not having the criteria for promotion.

But Newport have raised a few eyebrows with their early form this term, with Warlow demanding they keep setting their sights high.

"Things are going well and if you'd have asked me before the season where I'd like to be this wouldn't have been far off," said the former fly-half.

"What I liked about last Saturday was that it was a first start for a number of players against a good Llandovery side and they did really well.

"It's really important that whoever comes in puts pressure on and that there is a mentality to keep pushing each other.

"We've got that at the moment and if we keep pressing each other it creates good habits in training which in turn creates good match habits."

The Newport coaching team have some welcome selection headaches for the trip to the capital with the likes of wing Elliot Frewen, fly-half Arwel Robson, scrum-half Owen Davies and props Lloyd Fairbrother and Alex Jeffries back in contention for starting roles after missing out against the Drovers because of the Dragons' friendly against Harlequins.

They are hopeful that flankers Rhys Jenkins and Craig Attwell will be in the mix after injury for a stern challenge in Cardiff.

The Blue and Blacks have made a pretty solid start to the season given that this weekend is their first encounter on home 'soil' – they won four and lost four while their plastic pitch at the Arms Park housed a Rugby World Cup fanzone.

"The Llandovery win was great but the first thing said in the circle on the pitch was that we need to not only back up the performance but build on it in Cardiff," said Warlow.

"They have been on their travels and will be looking forward to getting back to the Arms Park. They will be organised and well coached."

Newport haven't beaten Cardiff since February 2012, a Rodney Parade success that came a month after a triumph in the capital.