Newport County boss Rowberry turns to Trollope for help

The Exiles head to unbeaten leaders Leyton Orient tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 3pm) with that clash followed by a midweek trip to Swindon and a Rodney Parade encounter with fellow strugglers Rochdale.

County have taken just eight points from their first 10 games to sit in 18th place in the table. They are three points off bottom and 10 behind the play-offs, where they got used to challenging in recent seasons.

Rowberry is a managerial novice – tomorrow is his 50th game in charge – but has a big contacts book from his coaching career with the Football Association of Wales and the Bluebirds.

That has led to Trollope, who was part of Chris Coleman’s management team at Euro 2016, joining the Exiles in training this week.

EXPERIENCED: Paul Trollope in the Cardiff dugout, with County boss James Rowberry in the background (Image: PA)

“I've got about three or four different people that I lean on,” said Rowberry. “They are all really helpful with where I am at in my career and what I am trying to do.

“Paul is one of those, I worked closely with him and he has been in the building for the last week.

“I have had that before with other people with different members of staff that I have worked with previously coming in to help me.

“Paul is someone I trust a lot and is another set of eyes for me at times. On an ad hoc basis he pops in to support me.”

Former Wales midfielder Trollope started his managerial career at Bristol Rovers before having a spell with Birmingham.

He joined the Cardiff coaching team and was promoted to being manager in 2015/16 but it was a very brief spell at the helm of the Championship club.

Trollope helped Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and has since had roles with Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

Rowberry is approaching a calendar year in charge of his hometown club and has endured a sticky start to the campaign after spearheading a promotion bid last season.

County boss James Rowberry

The manager remains confident that he can help the Exiles climb the table and steer clear of a League Two relegation scrap.

“You learn about yourself in any period, whether it's going well or isn't going well, adversity or adulation,” he said.

“One thing you do is keep driving forward, because we want to make this football club a success.

“We want to make the fans proud of what we do by showing our enthusiasm, attitude and positivity.

“This is a working class football club in my eyes and I am a working class lad from my family background and where I grew up.

“I want to make sure we show that with our enthusiasm, endeavour and intent. I've got to demonstrate that and the players have to demonstrate that.”