Deano moves to replace Thelwell (From South Wales Argus)

Deano moves to replace Thelwell

12:10pm Wednesday 2nd December 2009

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NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth is poised to replace Kettering-bound defender Alton Thelwell imminently, but the Argus can reveal that a move for Weston’s Craig Rand is not on the cards.

Thelwell, the former Tottenham and Hull City centre back, will return to full-time football this week with a move to Conference outfit Kettering, who could face Manchester United in the FA Cup third round following a draw with Leeds United.

However, Holdsworth has wasted little time dwelling on the loss of former Leyton Orient man Thelwell and has lined up reinforcements, with a defender due to arrive at Spytty Park this week on loan with another more permanent addition set for January.

Holdsworth insists he harbours no resentment towards Thelwell, who has impressed the Exiles faithful since joining as a free agent.

“When Kettering made the approach, I was naturally disappointed to be losing Alton, but it happened last Wednesday and I’ve already got moving and have lined up some new faces to take his place,” he said.

“It’s a blow for us, but looking at it rationally, I can’t deny Alton a return to full-time football, he could be playing against Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs in a month and good luck to him. He’s thanked me for taking a chance on him and I understand his desire to move on.”

However, Holdsworth has ruled out a swoop for Weston’s Rand or striker/defender Andy Forbes, also linked to County after being surprisingly transfer listed by Conference South rivals Eastleigh.

“There is nothing doing with either of those situations, we have watched Rand in the past and know all about Andy Forbes, but I am not in the business of just signing players for the sake of it,” he said.

“There was a time when we would have been interested in Craig Rand but he is not a player we are looking at anymore. We should have news for supporters soon, hopefully by the end of this week.”

Meanwhile, Holdsworth is keen his players are made aware of comments made by Bath City midfielder Lewis Hogg ahead of Saturday’s visit to Twerton Park.

Bath are suffering disappointment after bowing out of the FA Cup to Forest Green Rovers following a great run, prompting Hogg to compare his side with the table-topping Exiles.

“The play-offs are definitely within reach. We have shown what we can do in the cup, we have just got to go out and do it every Saturday and Tuesday for the next six months,” Hogg said.

“Newport are on the crest of a wave, they are winning every week, but they are not any better than us. They’re probably 15 points better off but we are as good as them and it’s up to us to go and show it.

“I don’t think there is anyone better than us in our league when we are at it.”

Holdsworth insists he’ll make sure his players see Hogg’s comments.

“He might just have done my team talk for me there,” he said.

“He’s entitled to his opinion, but certainly I will make sure my players hear what he has to say about the game on Saturday, which is a big one for us.”

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