DARREN Kelly will call the shots in the Newport County AFC dugout at Crawley on Saturday and is also charged with compiling a shortlist for the role of manager.

The sporting director will be in charge for the League Two trip to their fellow strugglers (kick-off 3pm) after boss James Rowberry was sacked on Monday.

The manager was followed out of the door by his assistant Carl Serrant and that means Kelly, who was previously boss at Oldham, Halifax, Hyde and Scarborough, will step up this weekend.

The sporting director will be helped by first-team coach Jarred Harvey, goalkeeping coach Jim Hollman and club ambassador Mark O’Brien.

Stalwarts Matty Dolan, Mickey Demetriou, Scot Bennett, Joe Day and Robbie Willmott are big figures in a dressing room that also features the experienced James Clarke, Aaron Wildig and Omar Bogle.

Kelly is caretaker boss but he is also under scrutiny after he played a role in the appointment of Rowberry a year ago before being working with the manager on summer recruitment, with most of the 11 arrivals yet to convince in a tough start to the season.

South Wales Argus: County sporting director Darren KellyCounty sporting director Darren Kelly (Image: Submitted)

The Irishman will assess the managerial candidates for the board to interview and the hope is that the process will be swift.

This time last year Wayne Hatswell bought County time when he stayed to hold the reins after the departure of Michael Flynn.

The assistant was in charge for a 3-0 win against Scunthorpe and draws against Bradford, Exeter and Carlisle, plus an EFL Trophy tie against Arsenal U21s.

That meant Rowberry was able to step into a steady camp, working with Hatswell until mid-February, but things are different this time with County just three points off the drop zone.

The desire is for a swift resolution to the hunt for a new boss with the trip to Crawley followed by a midweek EFL Trophy clash with Southampton’s youngsters then a vital home clash with fellow League Two strugglers Colchester.

It appears most likely that County will go after a manager who is already available after the departure of Rowberry, who was under contract until 2024.

The Exiles’ plight means they will be keen to attract a candidate with Football League experience as a manager in a bid to avoid a nervy scrape with relegation to the National League.