FORTHCOMING OPPONENTS: STRIKER Martin Paul will come up against some more familiar faces when Chippenham Town make the trip across the Severn Bridge to face Newport County on Monday night.

Paul, 27, scored 17 times in 34 games for the Welsh side last term, but moved to Hardenhuish Park for an undisclosed four-figure sum after failing to receive assurances over a starting spot from manager Tim Harris.

The visit to Newport follows hot on the heels of the match against Bath City, another of Paul's former clubs.

Said Paul: "I do seem to be acquiring a lot of old clubs. Newport are a tremendous club and are geared up towards a lot of success. It should be a very interesting game, but we have a good away record this season and let's hope it continues on Monday night.''

Newport sat at the top of the Premier Division table after collecting a maximum nine points from their opening three matches. But five defeats on the trot followed and they went down 1-0 at home to high-flying Tiverton Town on Monday night.

Former County frontman Paul is not fooled by their recent downturn in fortunes and expects Newport to be challenging at the end of the campaign.

He said: "It probably sounds a bit strange in the light of their recent results, but they are a difficult side to play against and the crowd will really give them a lift at their place.''

Paul is not expecting too rough a ride from the County faithful. He said: "I never had any problems there and the supporters have wished me well when I have been back. We'll just have to see what happens if I score.''

He will line up against his former Bristol Rovers team mate Billy Clark, alongside ex-Cardiff and Fulham man Jeff Eckhardt at the back for Newport.

Former Swindon striker Steve Cowe, who left the County Ground outfit a year ago, should start up front.

Despite his exit in the summer, Paul insists he has nothing to prove to long-serving Newport boss Harris.

He said: "He didn't force me out, but Chippenham put a bid in for me and he told me I wouldn't be starting the season in the team. I don't hold any grudges against them. It was a footballing decision to move from my point of view and a business decision from Newport's.''