Kirkham opts out of TNS reunion

Newtown's new keeper Matt Kirkham has ruled himself out of making his debut against former club The New Saints in tonight's Welsh Premier clash at Latham Park.

The Saints' reserve teamer signed for the Robins last week after Dave Jones was rested following the 7-0 Welsh Cup drubbing at Llanelli.

Kirkham, however, will not figure tonight at his own request, with Jon Rowley now taking over between the posts for the testing clash against the title chasers.

"I had a chat with Matt and he said he would prefer not to play against his old team so we've called in Jon, who has been biding his time in the reserves," said manager Darren Ryan.

"It's up to these two lads now to stake a claim, and if Jon does well it will be difficult for me to drop him."

Both sides need points for vastly differing reasons, with Newtown battling to escape the lower reaches of the table while the Saints have a chance to reclaim pole position.

As well as the goalkeeping situation, Ryan is set to make further changes as the Robins bid to bounce back from the Llanelli hammering.

Nicky Jones, a left sided defender-midfielder from Port Talbot, is set to make his bow along with Welshpool defender Dan March and Aberystwyth's Rob King.

The New Saints will also be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing Welsh Cup exit at Porthmadog in their last outing.

"It was a game I felt we should have won, but went to pieces in the penalties," said boss Ken McKenna. "It's gone now and we've now got to make sure we push on and tackle the challenges ahead."