County hoping for a hot Toddy (From South Wales Argus)

County hoping for a hot Toddy

6:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Newport County By Michael Pearlman

COMING BACK? Former Exile Chris Todd

NEWPORT County are trying to bring Chris Todd home to Rodney Parade, but the Argus understands any potential deal remains in the balance.

The 31-year-old defender, who has continued a fine career after beating chronic myeloid leukaemia, left the Exiles in 2011 following a dispute over pay.

County had an option of extending his contract but couldn’t agree terms as they moved to being a full-time outfit.

Todd instead signed for Forest Green Rovers but he’s been out of favour virtually all season, only really seeing action during a successful loan spell at Hereford United.

It is understood that the Bulls, AFC Telford United, Kidderminster Harriers and County are all keen on the former Swansea City man, who doesn’t appear to have a future at The New Lawn and is out of contract next summer.

The Argus understands that while interest in Todd is widespread, his preference is a return to Newport, a club he feels an affinity with having been part of their promotion campaign from the Conference South in 2010.

Neither County nor Forest Green, nor Todd himself have issued any comment but director of football Tim Harris did confirm that he, Justin Edinburgh and Jimmy Dack are working overtime to improve the squad.

Harris said: “We were very, very active yesterday, all three of us, it’s not about just targeting one or two players, you need to have a lot of balls in the air and we certainly do.

“Justin has said that he thinks to get over the line you need experience and quality, but those are two things many people want.”

• The Exiles have been given a big boost with positive news on defender Ismail Yakubu.

The injury-troubled defender limped out of Friday’s draw with Wrexham with a suspected hamstring tear, but the injury isn’t as bad as was feared and has been diagnosed as severe cramp, though it has prevented him from training.

There is a chance Yakubu could even return for Saturday’s trip to Lincoln City.