Newport County will today announce former Welsh international Peter Nicholas as their new manager after Tim Harris resigned yesterday.

In a dramatic 24 hours at Newport Stadium, it has just emerged that Nicholas, capped 73-times, the third most capped Welsh player, will replace Harris - dubbed 'Mr Newport County' by club chairman Wallace Brown - for County's home Dr Martens Premier League clash with Hednesford Town tomorrow (3pm).

The Argus understands Nicholas was asked by the new strategic management team, a group of five board members who run the business side of the club, to join the Exiles in a managerial role alongside Harris, which Nicholas accepted.

But Harris, who has 18 months left to run on his contract, declined the offer to work as joint boss with Nicholas and agreed to leave the club after five-and-a-half years in charge if he is continued to be paid a percentage of his wage until the end of this season, a proposal that the board accepted.

A month after receiving the dreaded vote of confidence from the board after the disappointing FA Cup third qualifying round home defeat to the students of Team Bath, Harris wept as he said goodbye to County's "fantastic" supporters at a fans forum last night.

Every Newport follower accepts the strides the club has made since his arrival in the summer of 1997, turning them from a mid-table Midland Division side to a realistic challenger for promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

Harris has played a major part in setting up County's successful youth academy, guiding them out of several financial crises, encouraging five local businessmen to join the board as the strategic management team and helping install a more professional approach at the club.

But despite the progress made, he has paid for Newport's hugely inconsistent start to the season. Harris admitted: "It's time for a change.

"After the Team Bath game I really wanted to continue help take the club forward - and the board backed me. But recently I have sensed the players are a bit flat and that played a major part in my decision."

Now Newport-born Nicholas is set to sign a contract until the end of the season and told his new group of his players: "The slate is wiped clean, I will give every player a fair chance.

"But they have to show me what they are capable of otherwise I'll start utilising my extensive contacts and start bringing new faces in.

"I am a Newport boy and have been a supporter of the County all of my life and I cannot wait to start.

Newport is a huge place and it needs a Football League team - and the team has potential to reach that goal. Now we must realise it."

Nicholas, who left his managerial post at League of Wales Llanelli just last month, has been a regular visitor to Newport Stadium this season as he is good friends with County youth team coach Glyn Jones - the pair manage and coach Wales' under-17 team.