DOWN in the mouth Newport boss Tony Mount is so sure tonight's Eastern Division visit of Erith & Belvedere will fall victim to the weather that he has already made alternative plans.

"It's been pouring here so I've booked an indoor training facility," he said.

Nearly six months into the season, the weather-beaten Islanders are nowhere near halfway through their fixtures and with every drop of rain that falls, their promotion flame gets dimmer.

"It's depressing," said Mount. "I remem-ber being told in November that the weather wouldn't improve until the end of Deecember. I thought it was a joke but now it's February and getting worse."

Should conditions miraculously change today, Newport would have midfielder Adam Holbrook back from suspension, but back victim Steve Riley is likely to remain on the injury list along with Leigh Cole and Fraser Quirke.

Salisbury have a major question mark over leading scorer Paul Sales for tonight's Premier Division trip to in-form Weymouth.

Sales limped off with groin trouble at Tamworth on Saturday and, although the pain has eased, he has not tried running yet.

Stockbridge striker Sean Sanders is ready to help out his old club, if needed, but Scott Bartlett and Martin Shepherd are still suspended.

Like Newport, Havant & Waterlooville are well adrift with their fixtures and have serious doubts about whether their Westleigh Park pitch will be up to hosting Premier Division leaders Burton Albion tonight.

"I'd say it's 50-50," said co-manager Mick Jenkins, "but I hope it's on because it's a test we're looking forward to."

Paul Wood is hopeful of shaking off a calf strain and H&W skipper Gary MacDonald returns from suspension.

Christchurch and Eastleigh will try again in the Hampshire Senior Cup quarter-final at Hurn Bridge tonight after Saturday's attempt was waterlogged.

Ex-Bashley and Andover stalwart Jeremy Stagg stands by for his first-team debut for Eastleigh and could forge a midfield partnership with Mark Thompson who has been outstanding since his recent move from Hamble ASSC.

Brockenhurst are in the mood to upset Jewson Wessex League leaders Andover at The Portway Stadium tonight. The buoyant Badgers beat third-placed Thatcham 2-1 on Saturday with a performance branded "brilliant" by assistant manager Chris Collinge.

Bemerton, home to Hamble ASSC in the JWL, have appointed army physical training instructor Tony Mee as their new first-team coach. Holder of a UEFA A Licence, Mee previously coached Hampshire Premier Divisions champions Amesbury Town.