NEWPORT County AFC have received a boost to their hopes of luring Graham Westley to Rodney Parade after Leyton Orient appointed Italian Alberto Cavasin as their new boss.

Westley is believed to have watched the O’s draw 0-0 at Barnet on Saturday and he was the bookies favourite to replace Andy Hessenthaler at Brisbane Road before Cavasin landed the job.

That leaves the way clear for County to talk to Westley, who is currently second favourite to replace Warren Feeney.

Former Cheltenham Town manager Mark Yates is favourite.

The duo are a long way ahead in the betting stakes with Steve Cotterill, who has reportedly ruled himself out, Dean Saunders, Adrian Pennock, Colin Pascoe, Chris Todd and others all rated at 16-1 and higher to land the job.

The Exiles have been speaking to candidates since the end of last week and expect to interview several contenders on Wednesday before appointing a new manager on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Colchester United.

Caretaker managers Sean McCarthy and James Bittner will take charge of the team for tomorrow night’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against Swansea City under-23s at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.45pm).

Defender Kyle Cameron and midfielder Josh Sheehan are both unavailable for the match.

Cameron, on loan from Newcastle United, is in Iceland for Scotland’s under-21 European qualifier on Wednesday.

Sheehan is on loan from Swansea and is unable to play against his parent club.

Scotland under-21s match in Macedonia next Tuesday will also keep Cameron out of the trip to Colchester, while Sheehan will also be missing as he is away with Wales under-21s in Armenia.

County were beaten 4-1 at Plymouth Argyle in their opening match in the Checkatrade Trophy in August.

The Swansea youngsters went down to a 3-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

A loss for either side tomorrow will mean that they cannot progress beyond the group stages, despite still having a game to play.

There is no extra time in the group stages. If the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes each club will be awarded one point.

The match will then be followed immediately by a penalty shootout, with the winners awarded an additional point.

The Exiles have announced that only the Hazell Terrace and Bisley Stand will open for this fixture.

Adult tickets cost £8, concessions (including students) will be £4 and junior fans (16 and under) will be charged £1.