HARRY Redknapp has vowed to help his new second favourite club Newport County in any way he can, after providing a glittering reference for “the new Jose Mourinho” Anthony Hudson.

Redknapp, tipped by many as the next England manager, visited Newport yesterday for a golf day and to re-acquaint himself with Hudson, who was on the coaching staff under him at Tottenham last season.

The former West Ham and Portsmouth boss – who guided Spurs to the quarter finals of the Champions League last term – has also opened the door to Hudson to bring some of the cream of the Tottenham academy to Spytty Park next season.

Speaking in the frank and honest manner that has made him a fans’ favourite across the UK, Redknapp explained that he thinks Hudson has something special about him.

“It’s not just a quip, the Mourinho comment I made about Anthony, Anthony’s not at that level yet – like the guy at Porto – but these young fellas in management have so much enthusiasm, they have a real zest and want to work and win at the top and Mourinho was like that,” he said.

“He wanted to be a manager and Anthony is the same, he has that enthusiasm that you can’t teach to people. He’s a grafter, he has the knowledge, the determination to get to the top and I think he will get there.”

Redknapp admits Hudson’s appointment at the tender age of 30 represented a gamble but strongly feels County will reap the rewards.

“It wasn’t a gamble for Anthony to leave Spurs, it was a much bigger gamble by Newport giving Anthony the job,” he said.

“He’s not got the experience and I am sure lots of people in for the job had done the rounds, but what he has got is ambition and when I spoke to the club – ringing director Matt Southall – I said that’s important. Anthony wants to get there to the top in management and some other candidates have had lots of attempts at it. I would want to gamble for sure.

“I think the gamble will pay off. Someone like Anthony has the best grounding of all at a club like Newport, learning at a level which is a great, great way to start. Look at David Moyes, Alex Ferguson in Scotland and Tony Pulis, they’ve gone that route.

“Anthony has the calibre to get to that level, I really mean that.”

Redknapp is keen to help Hudson and revealed that he and his staff at Spurs are now closet County fans.

“We follow Newport’s results every week and I am desperate to see them do well,” he said.

“I knew all about them under Dean Holdsworth before Anthony even got there, I follow all football and I know a fair bit about it. They had a great season the year before.

“It’s a hard division the Conference, I watched carefully but Crawley were just too strong last year. But hopefully next year Newport can do what they did, that would be great.”

But if Hudson needs a helping hand, Redknapp would love to help and believes some of his young stars could benefit from a move to Spytty Park.

He explained: “Of course, without a doubt, whenever we can help we will always, always be available to help out.

“I have known about Newport since I drove from Bournemouth to sign Tony Pulis. It’s a good club and I know the way Anthony wants to play.

“I think some of our young boys might definitely benefit from playing in the Conference, in terms of toughening up and because I trust Anthony. It’s a tough league, but they’ve got to be good enough.

“If the boys want them (Anthony and Tim) then sure, we would do that loan players). But they’ll have to play well to get into the team, it’s not good enough to just play because you are from Tottenham.”

The Argus understands Hudson was discussing a loan with Redknapp last night, hoping the offer of first team football could entice a player interesting several Football League clubs.

Hudson is also closing in on three more signings which he hopes to have sealed by June 30 when the Exiles report back for pre-season.