STEVE Claridge wants his side to be 'ruthless' against Newport County at the Wessex Stadium tonight (kick off 7.45pm).

The Terras player-boss is urging his players to show the Welsh visitors no mercy in front of their own fans.

He explained: "Another performance like the one at Hednesford on Saturday should be enough be enough to secure us maximum Dr Martens Premier Division points.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a case of wanting the players to do the same again. Virtually everything about their play was exactly how we had worked for but all we need now is goals.

"Our approach play was superb at times and we played the type of Football I want to see. I'm convinced we will play far worse and win games this season, but what we need tonight is to be ruthless and get a few goals.

"It's going to take a few games to settle down but the players showed me what they were capable of up at Hednesford and the positive reaction of the fans at the end said it all.

"Now it's up to us to go out there and put on a show in front of our own crowd in what is going to be a tough opening home game.

"Newport will be strong and difficult to break down, like most teams in this division, but I'm convinced we have enough quality in the side to do that."

Claridge will name himself in what is likely to be an unchanged starting line up, with a bigger than usual crowd expected at Radipole Lane following a summer of changes.

The only doubt from the weekend is defender Lee Russell who faces a late fitness test on a dead leg.

Meanwhile fellow centre half Jamie Impey who missed the trip to Keys Park because of a calf strain is again unlikely to be risked.

Claridge added: "Unless someone reports unfit before the game, it's going to

be very difficult to change the side after a performance like that at Hednesford.

"I'm looking forward to starting in front of what will be a big crowd and as far as myself and Lee Philpott, who hasn't trained much over pre-season because of injury, are concerned we can only improve and get fitter with each game we play."

Meanwhile the ex-Ports-mouth boss said nothing could be read into his decision to leave summer signing Scott Partridge on the bench in Staffordshire, following the former Rushden and Diamonds forward's poor pre-season form.

"It wasn't a case of Scott being dropped or anything like that. Football is a squad game nowadays and people like Scott, and the other lads who were on the bench, need to be able to come in and do a good job.

"I can only pick eleven players at any one time but everyone in the squad will have major parts to play over the rest of the season.

"After Newport tonight, games will come thick and fast and I'm sure Scott and some of the others will all get a chance to shine," he said.