WINGER Eddie Duah has been released by Newport County after pushing his luck with manager John Cornforth one time too many.

The speed merchant told Cornforth that he was fit to take his place on the bench against Weston-super-Mare last week but when the manager asked him to get stripped to come on with 20 minutes remaining and County 2-0 down, Duah claimed that his shoulder injury was acting up and that he could not play.

This follows incidents such as turning up less than one hour before kick-off at Bognor, where he was due to start, and missing an earlier match at Dorchester for failing to get a baby-sitter.

"Players usually get one chance with me but Eddie got several," said Cornforth. "Eddie was late at Bognor and then there were things like he could not make a game because he could not get a baby-sitter and then this on Saturday.

"When you are two down, you want players that want to make a difference and battle for you. I got the feeling he didn't. He has not done so well in the last few weeks after a decent start and was too inconsistent.

"There is also a financial reason for him going because he is non-contract and is someone who is being moved on to balance the books."

Duah made his debut in County's 2-2 draw with Lewes and he made an instant impact, endearing himself to the fans.

But his contribution has dropped severely in the last month and he was given the hook after 54 minutes in the first match of the Weston double header which finished in a 3-1 defeat.

He made just ten appearances for Newport, including three as a substitute and apart from Antonio Corbisiero on loan from Swansea, he was the only signing made by Cornforth still with the club.

And with Peter Nicholas signings Scott Young, Kevin Aherne-Evans and Roger Freestone all departing as well as Cornforth's Matt Rees and Leyton Maxwell coming and going, the squad is now down to the bare bones with a threat of more departures to follow.