More injury woe for Jones-Hughes

Jason Jones-Hughes has more knee problems

Newport centre Jason Jones-Hughes will miss the first six weeks of the new season after suffering a recurrence of knee trouble.

Australian-born Jones-Hughes first picked up the injury against Swansea late last season, and it appeared he was making good progress through the summer.

But a visit to the surgeon who operated on him earlier this week brought only bad news and the three-times capped centre is now looking at a six-week absence.

The Black & Ambers are also sweating on the fitness of Matthew Watkins, Matt Mostyn and Alix Popham before their opening Celtic League clash with Caerphilly on 25 August.

All three will miss Friday's friendly with Aberavon, but are expected to be fit for the clash with the Castletown side at Rodney Parade.

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Less likely to line up in that game is second row Ian Gough, who dislocated his shoulder during the Principality Cup victory over Neath.

The Welsh international's recovery has been slow and he is also in danger of missing the opening Heineken Cup game with Newcastle at the end of next month.

Meanwhile, Newport have signed Wales A outside-half Jason Strange from Pontypool.

The 27-year-old turned out for Newport in their friendly victory over Bristol at the weekend and team manager Jim McCreedy said: "After the game it was obvious that he was keen to link up with us.

"We agreed to make an approach and Pontypool reluctantly agreed to let him go."