FORMER Newport County AFC defender and Wales international Darcy Blake has joined Welsh League Division One club Aberbargoed Buds as player/coach.

The 26-year-old left County in May 2014 after just over two months at Rodney Parade and had recently turned his back on the game to focus on playing rugby for New Tredegar seconds in Division Two of the Gwent, Newport and Pontypool District League.

Blake previously played almost 100 games for Cardiff City and appeared in the Premier League with Crystal Palace as well as winning 14 caps for Wales - the last in 2012.

He joins caretaker boss John Lewis, assistant manager Alyn Jones and first-team coach Jason Windsor as Aberbargoed bid to get out of the relegation zone in the Welsh League Division One.

The club, based at the Centre of Excellence at Ystrad Mynach, sacked previous manager Adrian Needs earlier this month following an indifferent start to the 2015-2016 season.