NEWPORT and Ebbw Vale have gone head-to-head in some classic top flight Gwent derbies over the years – and both are determined to make sure they remain Premiership rivals next season.

The two clubs meet at Rodney Parade tonight (kick-off 7.30pm) with the hosts and visitors desperate to claim a win that would go some way to easing their relegation fears.

Ebbw are currently in more danger than Newport, with only three points separating them and bottom side Bridgend, who nearly sent the Steelmen back to the foot of the table last weekend.

Newport sit two places and four points above Greg Woods’ men, and they have four games in hand on Bridgend.

Ty Morris began his career as Newport head coach with a 29-23 win against Ebbw at Eugene Cross Park last September.

And he can’t wait to renew acquaintances with Ebbw counterpart Woods.

“There are not as many derbies this season compared to previous seasons,” he said.

“We look forward to playing them when they come around, and this one is another big game.

“Ebbw Vale have come really close to beating some of the top teams which goes to prove that their position doesn’t really reflect how good they are.

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle, as it always is against them.

“We beat them up there at the start of the season in what was a close game, and they beat us at home last season with the last kick of the game.

“This is a great fixture and we hope it keeps going.”

Newport should have played Swansea before last Saturday’s break for the National Cup.

However, when a member of Morris' squad went down with mumps, the game was postponed.

Commenting on the health of his squad, he added: “We’ve still got a couple of knocks but the majority of the squad is back fit.

“Josh Skinner has a broken foot and he’s a big loss for us.

“Matt O’Brien had a knock to his shoulder from the Aberavon game but is fully recovered.

“Joe Bartlett had a knock to his hand but is fully recovered, and Andrew Mann is also back to full fitness, so that was a good thing to come out of the postponed game.”

Ebbw chief Woods watched his men beat Pontypridd a fortnight ago, a win that saw them climb off the bottom of the Premiership.

Bridgend came close to repeating the feat last weekend, but Pontypridd held on to triumph 18-17 at Sardis Road.

“It’s about momentum for us,” said Woods. “I was really happy for the boys against Pontypridd, they deserved that win with the effort they put in.

“Anyone who watched that Pontypridd game could see we worked damn hard for that win, and we’ve got to do the same in Newport.

“I’ve asked the boys for 100% focus and to leave it all on the pitch. Beating Pontypridd will count for very little if we don’t back it up against Newport.

“Every game is like a cup final for us, we’re fighting for our lives. It’s another big game at Newport and the first of eight more cup finals.

“We’ve got some huge games coming up with Newport, Cardiff, Carmarthen and RGC.

“We want to keep the momentum going and keep playing the way we are.”

He continued: “There have been some really positive additions to the squad, including Dave Whiting and Corey Talbot up front and Ryan Evans, Aaron Grabham and Mike Powell in the backs.

“We’ve brought Rhys Jones back and Friday will be his first game since re-joining us from Merthyr. He’s a massive signing.

“We didn’t want to lose him last year and I’m glad he’s up for the fight and wants to come back to help us.”