NEWPORT County’s latest signing Lee Minshull should have exactly the right kind of attitude for a relegation battle… so much so his fans nicknamed him ‘The Tank.’

Minshull, 26, joined County on loan from AFC Wimbledon yesterday with international clearance completed late in the afternoon in time for him to be eligible for tomorrow’s FA Trophy trip to Evo-Stik League Nothern Premier outfit Worksop Town.

The loan is for five weeks; taking County up to and past the post-January transfer window embargo period.

If both clubs agree the loan could then be extended, possibly until the end of the season.

Minshull joins strikers Ryan Charles and Nat Jarvis and left-sided player Andy Sandell as new recruits by manager Justin Edinburgh this month.

Danny Rose and Robbie Matthews have been sold and Craig McAllister, Danny Potter and Tom Miller have all been placed on the transfer list in a busy fortnight at Spytty Park.

The Exiles boss is still hoping for more additions but is thrilled to have landed long-term target Minshull.

A Conference winner last season with Wimbledon and before that a non-league player with Ramsgate and Tonbridge Angels, the strapping six footer is keen to make his mark at Newport.

“Unfortunately the manager at Wimbledon wanted to make changes, I’ve been playing with the reserves and it was important I got away to get first team football,” he said.

“I had loads of clubs make inquiries for me, but by far the most concrete interest was from Newport.

“Justin Edinburgh made me feel really wanted and that’s a big thing,” he added.

“It’s a temporary loan as I’m living in Essex and we need to see how it works out and how practical it is with the travelling and everything, but I’m delighted to be here.”

And with a nickname of ‘The Tank’ and the potential of a partnership with former Wales cap David Pipe, County should certainly look more robust centrally.

“I am happy anywhere in the middle, but I prefer midfield,” he said.

“I knew David Pipe played for Wales and his kind of quality suggests the club aren’t where they should be.

“I like to get forward and make tackles and I suppose the nickname suggests that!”

Minshull will link-up with former teammate Ismail Yakubu who helped persuade him to join the Exiles.

“The Yak says it’s a club where you get well looked after and the fans are very passionate,” he said.

“He also said the club are far better than the table suggests and after my first training session yesterday, I was encouraged.

“There are some very good players and the spirit in the camp is good, not at all doom and gloom.”

Boss Edinburgh believes he’s signed a winner.

“He’s won the Conference, played in the Football League, come up the hard way through non-league football, there is a lot to admire there,” he said.

“He’s been available for a week and wanted to come here and play games. We are thrilled to have him.”