NEWPORT IoW boss Steve Tate is ready to clamp down on players who are only available for Saturday matches - and the first casualty could be his right-hand man Steve Riley.

After captaining the Islanders to a 1-0 win over Fleet last Saturday, Navy defender Riley went AWOL again on Tuesday when 'Port were on the end of a sound 4-0 hiding by his old club Bashley.

Riley's experience and defensive know-how is a valuable commodity for Newport, but Tate, pictured right, believes that, on a point of principle, a player should not be picked on a Saturday if he can't play in midweek.

It's an awkward situation considering Riley is also club coach and Tate confessed: "I'm going to have to speak to Steve to see what can be done.

"He's based in Scotland during the week, but I didn't realise he couldn't get back for any midweek matches.

"Not only do we miss his experience on the pitch, but I need help from Monday to Friday and Steve can't be player-coach on big money and only turn up on a Saturday.

"If it means we have to part company, then we will do, but the fundamental thing is that we remain friends. We've known each other a long time."

After coming badly unstuck against promotion-chasing Eastbourne (7-0) and Bashley in the last fortnight, Tate is understandably wary of tomorrow's Eastern Division trip to Stamford which pits them against another top-six side.

He confessed: "I'm worried because we don't seem able to compete with the top teams."

Injured duo Danny Rofe and Ashley Wright are still out, but Adam Barsdell returns to the reckoning after suspension.

Barry Blankley is anticipating one of Bashley's toughest tests so far at Eastbourne Borough.

Although the third-placed Foresters travel to Sussex with the best away record in the Eastern Division, having won ten and drawn one of their 13 games, they are aware that Eastbourne have been sitting quietly on the tails of the leading pack for the bulk of the season.

Blankley said: "Everyone talks about Salisbury, Banbury, Dorchester and ourselves, but people forget about Eastbourne. I've looked at their run-in and they've got a lot of home games which, on paper, they should win. They could be a big threat."

Unfortunately for Bash, they are almost certainly without one of their defensive stalwarts tomorrow. Aaron Cook is rated highly doubtful after going over on his ankle in Tuesday's win at Newport.

"It's a pity because since we switched Aaron to sweeper, he's been outstanding," said Blankley. "He's got pace, he reads the game well and challenges for everything."

Cook's absence creates an opening for Mark Jones, who was voted supporters' player of the year last season but has been held back by knee trouble.

Up front Bash are hopefully of more great things from 18-year-old Romsey lad Richard Gillespie, who has hit five goals in three games.

League leaders Salisbury, who are five points clear of Bashley having played one game more, are without a match tomorrow. Manager Nick Holmes is planning to spy on second-placed Banbury ahead of Whites' trip to Oxfordshire this Tuesday (January 21).

After hauling themselves off the foot of the Eastern Division with a 2-1 midweek win over Erith & Belvedere, Fleet are hopeful of another three-point bonanza at home to Chatham Town.

Former Saints Academy midfielder Shea Saunders returns from suspension, but Paul Danson is awaiting X-ray results on a rib injury.

Havant & Waterlooville entertain Crawley Town looking to extend a superb unbeaten Premier Division record stretching back to early October.

Hawks' main priority ahead of the game is trying to negotiate with 21-year-old central defender Christian Hanson to remain at the club.

The former Middlesbrough, Torquay and Cambridge player is moving back to his native Teesside having joined Hawks on a short-term contract following his release from Bristol Rovers in October.

Co-boss Mick Jenkins said: "Travelling's the big stumbling block, but Christian had been staying with friends in Bristol and we're hoping he can continue doing that and travel to games with our Swindon lads Bobby Howe and Gareth Hall."

Hawks have extended ex-AFC Bournemouth midfielder Jamie Ford's loan to Bognor for a further two months.