NEWPORT County boss John Cornforth has taken giant Australian goalkeeper Ben Moore on trial at Spytty Park.

The 6ft 4in 22-year-old stopper was born in Ebbw Vale and moved to Australia at the age of four where he eventually progressed to play for South Australia Premier League professional sides Enfield City and Adelaide City, the latter where Cardiff City defender Tony Vidmar began his career.

Moore returned to these shores last month and headed straight for County after Cornforth had been tipped off by former Swansea City and Chester goalkeeper coach Glan Letheren.

"Glan was out in Australia with Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood (former Wales under-17 coaches) and he said that the lad looked impressive and that he was coming back to the UK," Cornforth explained.

"We were given first refusal, so now he is here for a trial period.

"He has looked good in the two training sessions he has been to but I am hoping to get a friendly organised for next week because it is one thing to look good in training and another to do so in a match, especially in a position such as goalkeeper.

"His agent is pressing for a definite decision but there is no chance of that until I see him play in a proper match.

"He is a big, athletic lad and has a good presence about him, but we will have to wait and see."

County will try to schedule a friendly match for next week and they also have a Gwent Senior Cup tie against Tillery on Wednesday, January 19, which may give Cornforth a chance to see Moore in action.

Despite moving for a goalkeeper, Cornforth insisted that he was happy with the performances of current County stopper Andrew Delve.

The 19-year-old returned to Newport after a summer switch to Welsh League side Caldicot and has performed admirably, although he has looked fragile in recent weeks.

"Delve has been fantastic for me," Cornforth stressed, "but he is only 19 and it would be nice if I could take him out for a couple of games and give him a break from the firing line.

"Also it is important to have competition in all places and that has not been the case here.

"I am still looking around but the budget is almost non existent. There are a few players that are being looked at and sometimes they are right under your nose."

l County's Gwent Senior Cup quarter-final against Tillery will be held at Newport Stadium on Wednesday, January 19, kick-off 7.45pm. Tickets are £3 for adults and £1 concession.

The victors will face Croesyceiliog in the semi-finals with Caldicot and Goytre meeting in the other after both got through their quarter-final matches before the New Year.