THE search for the new Newport County manager may be coming to a conclusion soon but there is time to throw one more name into the hat, and a massive one at that- former Tottenham and England number two John Gorman.

The experienced Scot has tremendous pedigree and has not applied for the position as yet but he told the Argus that he would be open to discussions if County came calling.

Gorman, who lives in Berkshire, said: "It is no secret that I am looking for work at the moment. I have been in the game for 40 years and this is the longest I have not been working.

"I remember Newport County as a league club but do not know a lot about their current circumstances.

"But I would seriously consider it because I am keen to get out and be my own man in management.

"No-one has been in contact with me but if they did of course I would have a serious look at it."

Gorman has a track record that makes impressive reading, having been manager at Swindon Town and Wycome Wanderers.

However, Gorman is more famously known as a right-hand man to Glenn Hoddle at Swindon, Tottenham and of course England at the World Cup in France in 1998.

But he was unceremoniously passed over for the vacant Forest Green manager's job last week even though the club asked him to apply and he is not happy with the way it worked out.

He said: "They asked me to apply and then didn't give me the job saying that I do not have enough experience at Conference level but that is ridiculous.

"I have worked with Wycome and Swindon in lower divisions so I can't see that being a factor.

"They got the publicity they wanted from it but I was never guaranteed to be going there anyway."

He added: "A lot of people say that I am just waiting for Glenn Hoddle to get a job and then I will go with him but that is not the case.

"If Glenn got a job and took me in the meantime then I would go but I can't hang around waiting and I want to work.

"I want to get out on my own and if the right job came up I would give it my full attention. "I just need to get the chance because I know I can do a job."

County chairman Chris Blight refused to rule out making contact with Gorman but admitted that the club were still working their way through applications to compile a shortlist.

As well as Gorman, several other big names have expressed an interest including former Wales boss Bobby Gould, Weston manager Frank Gregan, who remains favourite, former Bristol City manager Russell Osman and Swindon's New College director of football Paul Bodin.

IT IS time to dig the trenches at Spytty Park and put on the tin hats because Hornchurch are coming. Managerless Newport County host the big-spending Nationwide South favourites on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and it is looking like it will be caretaker boss Glyn Jones' last game in charge.

But in true Dad's Army-style Jones will be telling the side "Don't panic!"

This is potentially County's toughest match of the season so far as their free-scoring visitors, with a reputed budget of an astounding £1.2m per year, have hit their stride and are now more than justifying their favourite's tag.

Jones said: "They are the Chelsea of the division and will be a massive test. But we did well on Tuesday (in the 1-0 away win at St Albans) and will be giving it a right go.

"Hornchurch have quality right through their team and players all of whom have league experience. Also they have hit form and are scoring goals for fun. "This is as tough as it gets but we have a decent bunch of players ourselves and won't be rolling over." County have a few "bumps and bruises" according to Jones, but players like Jamie Moralee and Scott Morgan as well as Nathan Davies will be given every chance to make the line-up.

One man who will not be in the squad is former captain Scott Young, who decided to hang up his boots this week.

Young said: "The injuries were causing me too much discomfort and it was time to stop. I always said that if my injuries started to affect my family life then I would chuck it and it has got to that stage.

"It is not too serious in terms of being in pain all of the time but there is no point in me playing one game and then missing the next three.

"It is not fair on the club or the other players. It was a bit of a gamble coming back but I don't regret it."

Young was one of the experienced players who was less than impressed by the decision to sack Peter Nicholas as manager but he insists that did not affect his own decision.

He said: "That had nothing to do with it, it was simply the injuries.

"I had a chat with Chris Blight (County chairman) and he was very good about it. He wished me well and told me the door would always be open.

"I will concentrate on coaching at Cardiff but I will still be around for some of the games. There are a good bunch of players at Newport and I'm sure they will turn things round soon."

Newport County squad (provisional): Freestone, L Phillips, Thomas, Morgan, D Jones, Davies, Aherne-Evans, Bowen, Williams, Moralee, Wilson-Denis, Coates, J Phillips, Passmore, O'Sullivan, Marcus, G Jones.