New look strikeforce for Exiles (From South Wales Argus)

New look strikeforce for Exiles

10:00am Wednesday 24th March 2010 in Latest Football By Michael Pearlman

NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth remains confident that the Exiles can reach 100 points this season and is reshaping his forward line to make that a reality.

The Exiles’ 21-game unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday with Essex boys Thurrock boosting their own promotion hopes with a 2-1 win in a contest marred from a Newport perspective by a season-ending injury to Sam Foley.

While the Exiles’ player of the season award will be more contentious than the voting in Florida before a US election, there is no doubt that in 2010, Foley has been the key man for County and he’ll be sorely missed.

And Holdsworth has reacted accordingly and expects to have two new attacking options for Saturday’s home game with Woking.

The first of these is Dave Gilroy who has returned to Spytty Park after a loan spell with Bath City. Gilroy will be anxious to stake his claim and won’t have to contend with competition from Stuart Douglas, who has returned to Twerton Park.

County are also ready to make a move in the transfer market, having agreed a loan deal with a Football League player coming through the ranks at his club.

The striker has been out on loan this term at a lower level but is highly regarded by his parent club.

Exiles general manager Tim Harris has asked that we not name the player but confirmed he is hopeful that the signing will be concluded within 24 hours.

Should the loan deal – which will run until the end of the season – prove successful then the player in question may remain with Newport for their first season back in the Conference.

Boss Holdsworth explained: “It’s been a while since we’ve had a need to conduct any sort of business, but we’re looking at bringing one in this week and hope to have it done soon.

“He’s a player very highly regarded at his club and we are keen to have a look at him for ourselves and obviously the timing is good because of the unfortunate injury to Sam.

“We want to take the pressure off Reidy (Craig Reid) and that’s why we’ve decided to freshen things up.”

Holdsworth is only too pleased to welcome back Gilroy.

“The remaining games are a great chance for Dave to put himself back in everyone’s thoughts,” he said.

“He’s a terrific player; a clinical striker and the only reason we let him go to Bath is that we felt he needed to regain some match sharpness.

“That shouldn’t be an issue now and we look forward to adding Dave to the mix, he brings a different dimension to the squad.”

Holdsworth is expecting Foley, who has been almost a goal a game man since the turn of the year, to be fit for a full pre-season, the player contracted to County for next term.

“Sam should be out for between two and three months,” he said.

“It’s an injury (hairline fracture) that needs to be managed carefully and we’ll do that, we won’t rush him at all.

“But I would be hopeful Sam can have a proper pre-season and obviously he’s fundamental to our plans for next season.”

Holdsworth is also now in a more forgiving mood towards his players for Saturday’s slip-up, hoping that 100 points is still an achievable aim (12 required from 18 to hit the target).

“I was harsh on the players, we set high standards and I was disappointed with the result as they were,” he said.

“But they have given so much in the past month, it’s been a hard time and the emotion and everything takes its toll.

“But I expect a positive reaction in the next game and still believe we can reach 100 points.”