FORMER Newport County AFC defender, first-team coach and assistant manager Wayne Hatswell has returned to the club.

The 42-year-old is back at the Exiles to assist caretaker boss Michael Flynn following the sacking of Graham Westley.

Hatswell, who had been in charge of Gillingham’s youth team, originally joined County as a player in December 2010 and played in the side that reached the 2012 FA Trophy final.

He left at the end of that campaign but returned as first-team coach in May 2013, a role he took on a part-time basis during his playing days with the Exiles.

Then, when Justin Edinburgh left for Gillingham, Hatswell became assistant to Jimmy Dack when he stepped up to manage the side until the end of the season.

Hatswell helped lead this morning’s training session at Spytty Park and will be in the dugout alongside Flynn when they go to Crewe on Saturday.