NEWPORT County manager Peter Nicholas today told how a cancer scare put football in perspective.

The 43-year-old former Welsh international captain (pictured) revealed that surgeons removed a potentially fatal growth on the left-hand-side of his neck in January.

The benign tumour gave father-of-five Nicholas and doctors cause for concern due to its close proximity to his brain.

Special-ists feared that if it grew rapidly his life would be in danger.

So Nicholas was rushed into Cardiff's University of Wales Hospital to have the growth cut-out.

Medical experts decided the 73-times capped Welshman did not require radiotherapy treatment as they said the whole growth had been removed.

In typically determined fashion, Nicholas was back in the dug-out the day after the operation to send his Exiles out to battle in a Dr Martens League game at Chippenham Town, which ended goal-less.

"To be honest, I haven't really said anything to anyone about it," admitted the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder.

"The club knew and they were very supportive, as was Glyn Jones, my assistant.

"I had a benign growth on the side on my neck. It was spreading on to an area of my head which could have been dangerous.

"I went to see my doctor and she sent me straight in to the hospital because she felt it needed removing quickly.

"I remember it was the Friday before our visit to Chippenham.

"It was a very big scare for me and put football in perspective.

"But I don't moan about things like that. Whatever will happen will happen, that's my view. I'm very philosophical.

"I'm fine now. The doctors say they caught the growth in its early stages."

He added: "I've been lucky with my health other than that.

"I have arthritis in my knees but that is due to wear and tear of football. The arthritis is why I've put on a lot of weight since retiring from playing because I can't do any running."

Nicholas is now focused on County's Dr Martens League Premier Division charge which kicks off at home to Welling United tomorrow (3pm).