SHEFFIELD Tigers will have one foot in the Premier League Play-offs - if they beat Newport at Owlerton on Thursday (7.45pm).

The Sheffield Window Centre-backed side were out of contention for a top four spot until a great run of form - nine wins in 12 outings - since the start of August put them in the frame.

Newport have struggled for the majroty of the season and all three points ared there for the taking - but Tigers owner Neil Machin is refusing to take anything for granted.

He said: "Newport will push us all the way but without being over-confident I would hope that we will be in the top four after next week's cut-off date.

"It's been a fascinating finale to the season and the race will go right to the wire.

"The good news is that last week's win over Workington showed that we are coming good bang at the right time."

Simon Lambert deputises for the injured James Birkinshaw at reserve for the Owlerton side in an otherwise unchanged side.

TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Joel Parsons, Simon Lambert, James Cockle.
NEWPORT: Michael Rajkowski, Tom Hedley, Sebastian Truminski, Tony Atkin, Chris Schramm, Nick Simmons, Barry Burchatt.