ANTHONY Hudson has lined up a plethora of trialists for tonight’s friendly clash at Mangotsfield but won’t see them himself as he instead makes a date with a former England manager.

The Exiles boss, upbeat after his side held Premier League Stoke at the weekend, is meeting Nottingham Forest manager Steve McLaren this evening to discuss a loan signing.

That will follow conversations with West Brom manager and former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, Dagenham manager John Still and Burnley boss Eddie Howe all with eyes on securing young talent for the coming campaign.

Hudson has also been on a scouting mission and last night watched Bristol Rovers, at the same time as defender Paul Bignot was turning out for Blackpool in a trial game against Rangers with a view to a move to Bloomfield Road.

Bignot played for 45 minutes in a 2-0 defeat for the Seasiders.

However, while several trialists could be invited back if they impress County assistant manager Lee Harrison tonight, it appears to be D-Day for the ‘foreign four.’

The Exiles, thanks to benefactor Matt Southall, drafted in four players from France earlier this month, Guillaume Velez, Sofiane Gherbi, Adam Smith and Boe Ampleford.

And all four will play tonight with a decision on their futures imminent.

“It’s another chance for them to impress and I envisage making a decision on all of them on Thursday,” Hudson explained.

“Lee is going to have a final look tonight and then we will talk with the players.” Hudson admits he’s playing a bit of a chess game in terms of rounding out his squad, exploring loan options while also assessing trialists and attempting to secure further transfers.

County are still in discussions over what would be a prominent permanent capture, but Hudson is prepared to be patient.

“We need to pick the right players, we’ve decided against signing one or two in the past week and we don’t want to be rushed into making the wrong decisions,” he said. “We’ve got such a good group here and I need the right characters to fit in alongside them.”

Winger Steve Jones could play against Cheltenham on Saturday and appears in with a good chance of being offered a deal at Spytty Park. However, Chris Curruthers who started against Stoke, will not.

The Exiles are unlikely to play any of their first team squad tonight meaning skipper Gary Warren misses out on a return to his first club. However, selection policy aside Warren wouldn’t have been involved, nor will he on Saturday against Cheltenham as he’s currently with the GB Student side in Sweden, in their training camp ahead of the World Student Games in China.

Warren is the squad’s captain and will travel to China with County’s blessing, particularly as he’s suspended for the start of the season anyway.

The World Student Games end on August 24. “It’s a big honour, Gary could play in front of 60,000 in one of the games,” Hudson commented. Two players who will be involved tonight are the two players in the squad whose futures are uncertain.

Keeper Glyn Thompson and striker Robbie Matthews, the only players unable to commit to full time training, appear to be on the way out.