NEWPORT County boss Anthony Hudson is relishing the opportunity to see his side pit their wits against League Two Cheltenham Town today, but he will be without his assistant boss Lee Harrison.

Harrison, a well-travelled goalkeeper who has been in the game for well over 20 years, will be at Underhill as he brings the curtain down on his playing career.

The former Barnet stopper will captain the Bees for the final time in a testimonial match against a Spurs XI.

However, despite organising the game and keenly awaiting his farewell in playing the sport that has been his life, Harrison admits he’s now pre-occupied with life at Spytty Park.

“I’ve looked forward to the match for such a long time, but to be honest now it’s been a slight distraction from Newport and what I feel so far has been a very good summer for us,” he said.

“We’ve made five very good signings and have a few more in the pipeline and I feel like if the season started tomorrow, we’d be in pretty good shape.

“But it’s a real marathon, the Conference, a long old season and it’s important that we evolve as we go along.

“If you look at Crawley – and I keep going back to this example – their squad that finished the season as champions was vastly different to the one that started the campaign and that shouldn’t be forgotten.”

Harrison spent last season in a player/coaching capacity at Hayes & Yeading and admits his testimonial gives him the sign off he dreamed about.

“Barnet have been my club really and the opportunity to sign off in front of those fans on what will hopefully be a special day is fantastic,” he explained. “Because otherwise my last game as a player wouldn’t be such a fond one.

“I was called upon last season when we had an injury and ended up playing in goal on a cold and wet night at Barrow. And we lost!

“So this is far preferable, although I am going to be registered as an emergency this season so you never know, my last ever game could be for County,” he added.

Boss Hudson is back in charge today after missing the Mangotsfield friendly and has now delivered his verdict on County’s trialists.

Midfielder Guillaume Velez has been offered a contract and the door has not been closed on Sofiane Gherbi, who is back in France on a pre-arranged trip.

However, Boe Ampleford and Adam Smith have left the club.

The Exiles hope to complete the signing of a replacement for Bignot over the weekend.