FORMER Newport County AFC defender Chris Todd is the first man to publically declare his interest in replacing Warren Feeney as manager at Rodney Parade.

Todd confirmed to the Argus that he has applied for the Exiles top job and says he would also consider an assistant manager or coaching role.

The 35-year-old guided Eastleigh to seventh place in the Conference last season and to the third round of the FA Cup.

He is currently without a job after being sacked by the Spitfires last month – just four games into the new season.

That was his first job in management and Todd is fully aware that the County board of directors may be looking for a more experienced replacement for Feeney, who is also 35.

“I have put my name in for it,” said Todd, who watched County lose 2-1 at home to Cambridge United last week.

“Obviously there is a vacancy there and I’d be foolish not to apply for it because I’ve got a lot of history with the club and it’s one I’d like to go back to.

“Whether that’s in the manager’s role, who knows?

“I have no doubt that it’s a job I could do. I did a good job at Eastleigh and I’m a young hungry manager.

“But I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity of a coaching or assistant role there.

“It depends on the board and what way they want to go.

“They may well want to bring in an experienced manager and if they do go down that route I think I can offer plenty of experience to the role of coach or assistant.”

Swansea-born Todd played for County between 2010 and 2011 and was part of Dean Holdsworth’s Conference South title winning side in 2010.

“Obviously I have that connection with the club so it appeals to me,” he added.

“I’d like to get back into management if I have the opportunity but I’m young and I’m still learning and I wouldn’t have any hesitation in taking a coach or assistant manager role.

“I think I’ll be very valuable and I hope I get the opportunity.”

Steve Cotterill and Mark Yates are the two names still at the top of the bookies’ shortlist for the County job, although Cotterill is believed to have ruled himself out of the running.

SkyBet, the sponsors of the EFL, are also offering odds of 12-1 on Ian Holloway taking the job, 16-1 on Dean Saunders and 20-1 on Andy Hessenthaler, Craig Bellamy and James Beattie.

Yates and Beattie have both applied for the job in the past and both been interviewed previously, with Yates just missing out when Terry Butcher was appointed in May 2015.

Former Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett has also ruled himself out of the running but other contenders for the job include one-time England under-21 manager Peter Taylor, ex-Forest Green Rovers boss Adrian Pennock and former Swansea assistant coach Colin Pascoe, who would be assisted by ex-Wales defender Paul Bodin.