NEWPORT County are lining up an audacious bid to bring a six-times capped Nigerian international to Spytty Park.

The Argus can reveal that former Fortuna Dusseldorf star Sammy Taubman, who played in the second tier of the German Bundesliga, has already turned out for County in a closed doors friendly this week and boss John Cornforth is giving serious consideration to offering the Nigerian a deal.

"I had a look at him and he did alright considering he has hardly kicked a ball for a year," Cornforth said.

"He seems to be the genuine article and I will have another look next week and will wait and see."

The 26 year-old midfielder has played in the German Second Division at Dusseldorf and also for Kickers Offenbach and has a reputation for being a free kick specialist.

He grabbed nine goals from midfield for Offenbach when they won their Regional Division.

Taubman was capped while playing in Germany and was called up as recently as last year. He also picked up 14 under-21 caps before his career hit the skids when Dusseldorf went bankrupt three seasons ago.

The club refused to pay the African's wages and would not release his registration, hoping for a transfer fee, despite being sent to the bottom of the German football pyramid as a result of their financial problems.

The stand-off lasted more than 12 months and Taubman came to the UK to rebuild his career. He has been on trial at Rotherham and in Scotland with Division One side Ayr United.

The ambitious Scottish club had been keen to sign him in January but the Nigerian's family had settled in the London area and he was reluctant to move with a young child.

Now County are poised to snap him up if boss Cornforth feels he can do a job in the Nationwide South.