NEWPORT County and Scott Young have parted ways after the injury-hit midfielder decided to call it a day on his playing career.

The 28 year-old was forced to quit full-time football with Cardiff City last season with a persistent back problem but the Tonypandy hardman tried to make a comeback for County this season.

But he has found it difficult after such a long lay-off and has missed the last seven games with niggly injuries and he will now concentrate on his coaching role at Cardiff City.

County chairman Chris Blight said: "We are sad to say that Scott will be leaving the club. He feels that the injuries that he has picked up are giving him too many problems to go on.

"We were thrilled when he came because he is a great player and ambassador for the club and you can see when he is not playing just how much he is missed."

Young was thought to have been among the most vociferous in condemnation of the decision to sack manager Peter Nicholas last week but Blight insists that was not a factor in Young's departure.

He said: "The decision was very amicable. Scott is a very honest man and he felt that there was no point in sitting on the sidelines and picking up a wage when the chances of him playing were diminishing.

"There is no animosity and Scott will be my guest at the match on Saturday against Hornchurch at Newport Stadium.

He added: "It is sad that he is leaving and if at some point in the future he feels that he is approaching 100 per cent fitness, then the door will still be open."

In the meantime, Blight insists that the money saved on Young's contract will be redirected into the first team squad for the new manager to spend.

He said: "Obviously Scott leaving will free up a bit of money and this will go straight into the team at the discretion of the new manager, as the squad does need strengthening."