CROSS Keys head coach Greg Woods insists his men will be “switched on” for their first derby of the season tonight, as club captain Scott Matthews prepares to go under the knife.

Matthews, who injured his ankle against Llandovery on October 8, is set to be operated on next Monday, meaning he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Woods admits Matthews’ injury is a massive blow for Keys but says it is important his men react in the right way – hooker Darren Hughes will continue to lead the team in Matthews’ absence.

The focus for Keys now is on their short trip to Bargoed this evening (kick-off 7.15pm) for a game that Woods hopes will kick-start the visitors’ Principality Premiership campaign.

“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge at Bargoed Park in our first Gwent derby of the season but we’ll be switched on for it,” he said.

“We’ve got the utmost respect for them and they thoroughly deserve their place in the Premiership.

“Dai Lynch and Alun Harries are both coaches there and former Cross Keys players, and I know they will be targeting this game.

“I’ve watched them a few times and they are a really dogged side who will probably feel they should’ve won more games than they have.

“They have a lot of local boys who have played for the club for a while, so they’ve got a great spirit there.

“They also train up at Ystrad Mynach on a Tuesday and there are a lot of links between both clubs.

“It should be a really good game and we’ve got to use it to kick-start our season a little bit.”

Commenting on Matthews’ injury, he added: “Scott’s ankle injury is devastating for us as a club.

“He is going in for an operation on Monday and will be out for a long time.

“He has been one of the form players in the Premiership but we’ve got to react well.

“Darren Hughes will take over the reins. He is the heartbeat of our club and has played really well this season.

“Darren will lead the side but we’ve also got people like Leon Andrews, James Leadbeater and Adam Powell with lots of experience.”

While Keys lost 39-14 to Aberavon last weekend, Bargoed suffered a 56-3 thrashing by RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay.

Bargoed and RGC were promoted from the Championship at the end of last season along with Merthyr and Swansea.