CAERNARFON Town, who have done enough in recent weeks to avoid the drop, could today turn party poopers at The New Saints.

If certain results go their way, the Llansantffraid-based full-timers could celebrate their title triumph for the third consecutive season.

The Canaries, who will arrive at the Treflan ground very much as the second favourites, feel they are not under any pressure now they have moved away from the league basement at last.

Manager Steve O’Shaughnessy said: “We are looking forward to the game, and that is the truth, because we are playing with confidence and morale in the squad is high.

“While it has been a long season in some ways, because of our results, we have performed a lot better recently and did notably well over the Easter weekend, gaining four points.”

The New Saints, who won 3-1 at The Oval in December, are odds-on to complete the double, especially in view of their exemplary home record of having won 12 times out of 13.

But Caernarfon are unfazed by all the facts being stacked up against them and O’Shaughnessy will take comfort from having a full squad available for the first time.

Late checks will be made on defenders Mark Harris (blisters) and James Glendenning (groin), midfielder Mark Thomas (shoulder) and striker John Rowley (broken toe) but all could make it.

The New Saints go into today’s home clash with Caernarfon knowing they could be champions, writes John Bridgwater.

The defending champions require just four points from as many games, and could feasibly seal their third successive league title should they win and closest rivals Rhyl fail to claim maximum reward from the tricky trip to Carmarthen.

Manager Ken McKenna, who unsurprisingly was named manager of the month for March, has hailed the mental strength of his side who tightened their grip on the title with their midweek 5-0 win at struggling Cwmbran Town.

That stretched their unbeaten run to 18 league games, and the full-timers look in fine shape to complete a double following last month’s famous FAW Premier Cup victory at Newport.

“I think if we can win today, then we’ll be almost there,” said the TNS boss.

“We got off to a poor start this season by our standards, when you’re the champions everyone wants to beat you, it’s their cup final.”

The Saints have plenty of options going into today’s clash, with striker Carl Lamb having staked his claim with a first half hat-trick against Cwmbran on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Porthmadog, needing points either to endorse their Premier Cup entry or to steer clear of the lower regions, will target a win at basement side Cwmbran, writes Keith Evans.

Manager Osian Roberts said: “We are fully expecting a tough game, because Cwmbran are fighting for their existence in the league.”

The squad news revolves around five players, one being a definite non-starter, two are booked for fitness checks and two others are set to return.

Striker Carl Owen is discounted because of a broken toe, while defender Mike Foster (hamstring) and right-winger Gareth Caughter (ankle) will be given fitness tests.

Left-winger Carl Jones is available after a suspension and teenage defender Geraint Mitchell is also included.