Newport County rebel Jason Perry, who is still under contract, has been ordered to end his eight-month exile and return to the club - or face the sack.

Perry was relieved of his assistant manager's job by boss Tim Harris after a bitter personality clash back in March and, despite still being under contract as an Exiles player, the former Welsh international defender has not been seen at the Dr Martens Premier League club since.

Perry's refusal to agree to a contract settlement fee from the club has cost Newport County a small fortune as they have continued to pay his £500-a-week wages since his dispute with Harris.

Now the board's newly-formed Strategic Management Team, who effectively run the business side of Newport County, have told Perry, whose contract ends in the summer of 2004, to report back to the club as a player. Failure to do so could mean Perry faces club disciplinary proceedings and maybe the sack.

As the players are not training tonight, Perry is expected to return to Newport Stadium on Saturday to watch County's league clash with Hednesford Town where the 32-year-old is likely to face stick from Newport fans.

Club boss Harris and Newport County's board of directors will also come under criticism from fans for signing Perry initially.

Perry joined as a player on a long, lucrative deal but was not tested at non-league level and had long-standing ankle and knee problems.

But the club's decisions to sign-up players not tested at Dr Martens League level on long contracts will be a major concernvoiced by supporters at an open forum tonight, with Harris, club chairman Wallace Brown and others.

The open forum takes place a Baneswell Social Club, Havelock Street, Newport, at 7pm. Harris and Brown will be joined on the top table by strategic management team member Chris Blight, Argus Sports Editor Carson Wishart, Argus football writer Peter Shuttleworth and South Wales Echo reporter Mark Bloom. Entrance is £5 to the public and £3 to supporters club members.