Thelwell coup for County (From South Wales Argus)

Thelwell coup for County

8:50am Saturday 10th October 2009 in Latest Football By Andrew Penman

NEWPORT County manager Dean Holdsworth swooped to capture former Tottenham Hotspur star Alton Thelwell from under the nose of his brother yesterday, writes Andrew Penman.

The 29-year-old central defender, who played in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final for Spurs, joins on a trial basis initially to prove his fitness and could make his debut in today’s FA Cup tie at Paulton Rovers.

Thelwell was in talks with David Holdsworth’s Mansfield Town earlier this week before twin brother Dean intervened at the last minute.

The Exiles boss is delighted to have a player as experienced as Thelwell on board and to have beaten his brother to the punch.

“I’m excited by it, he has a great pedigree having played at Spurs,” said Holdsworth. “Alton has lots of experience and we are offering him a window of opportunity to kick-start his career.

“He was talking to my brother but I moved quickly and sold the club to him,” he added. “David was a little surprised when he found out but in this business if you snooze you lose.

“It took a lot of hard work on Thursday to push the deal through but Alton is very keen to come here and impress.”

Thelwell, who has represented England at under-21 level and also played for Hull City has been without a club since being released by Leyton Orient in May.

His career has been blighted by injury but Holdsworth believes he has pulled off a coup if the player can recapture the form that saw him prosper in the Premier League from 1998 to 2003 and feature in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal in 2001.

“He’s in the squad this weekend and we’ll have a look at him over the next week or two to assess his fitness,” said Holdsworth.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to about Alton has had good things to say about him and if he’s still got that fire in his belly he could be a fantastic signing and one that will remain at this club for a long time.”

Thelwell is expected to be on the bench for this afternoon’s match with Paul Cochlin and Aaron Cook in central defence and left-back Matt Smith covering for the suspended Martyn Giles.

Gary Warren is out with a groin injury and several players are carrying knocks but Holdsworth has stated that he will pick his strongest available line-up against the Zamaretto League Division One South and East outfit.

l Blue Square South rivals Woking are in talks with former Leeds, Chelsea and Cardiff striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.