Newport County boss Tim Harris is a wanted man.

The successful County manager, pictured, has been linked with the vacant managerial job at rivals Merthyr Tydfil who advertise the post today.

Harris' name - along with others - has appeared on the Internet with many fans looking to the County top man as their saviour.

Not so, say County, and quite emphatically. Wallace Brown, County chairman, said: "The remarks are pure and total speculation - basically there is n o truth in any approach of any sort."

Martyrs' fans have been looking enviously towards the Gwent club since the departure of John Lewis, now at Haverfordwest, the League of Wales club.

The speculation was further fuelled when Harris, following the extra-time defeat against Second Division Blackpool in the first round of the FA Cup, said that "he had taken the club as far as he could".

The Martyrs are fighting a relegation battle against the drop from the Dr Martens League Premier Division and I understand that Harris is in the frame.

Others linked with the job are Leroy Rosenior and former County star Paul Bodin but a Merthyr spokesman said they would not be rushed into a decision.

Progress made by County in the FA Trophy - winning at Walton and Hersham last night - will merely add to the frustration being felt by Merthyr supporters who, at the moment, can only dream of success.

It is not so long ago that they were the top non-League club in Wales, holding a place in the Conference, just one step from the Football League.

Not that County are much better off in the league, very much in need of points to avoid being sucked into a relegation scrap.

County are at Worcester City tomorrow in the league and Harris needs to build on his cup success.

County's FA Cup run brought in well in excess of £100,000, they are still in the FA Trophy and FAW Premier Cup.