NEWPORT did Welsh rugby proud by becoming the first team from the Principality to win away in Europe this season at the weekend -- but lock Mike Voyle (pictured) faces a double dilemma.
Voyle was one of the heroes of Newport's terrific three tries to nil victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park on Saturday night.
But he is being threatened with legal action by Cardiff and also has a personal decision to make as he considers his rugby future.
Cardiff are threatening Voyle over a 'compromise agreement' he signed with them when he left the club at the end of last season to emigrate to New Zealand with his wife and baby. But he returned to Wales unexpectedly in late August after Newport approached him to fill the gap left by the injury to Ian Gough. To the dismay of Cardiff, who still considered him their player, Voyle signed a short-term contract with arch rivals Newport, which runs out at the end of the first week of November. But so well has he played, starring in the line-out, that Newport have asked him to stay until the end of the season and beyond. That has left Voyle in a real quandary, especially as his wife is now expecting their second child.
"Newport have asked me to stay," he admitted after the Newcastle triumph. "I'm very happy with the club, but I've got a decision to make. I don't really want to think about it."
On the Cardiff issue, Newport chief executive Keith Grainger said: "Before the deal was done Newport checked out his obligations with the Welsh Rugby Union and he hasn't got any, so he's free to make any decision he wants.
"Cardiff are saying he's misled them, putting him under pressure regarding a compromise agreement he signed.
"Nobody can play well with a threatening situation over them, so we want it sorted out amicably."
And on Voyle's personal future Grainger revealed, "We have suggested to him that he takes November off and goes back to New Zealand to recharge his batteries and discuss with his wife his immediate future.
"It's his choice to stay or bring his wife and child back with him. It's a personal decision and we don't want to influence that. We want him to come back motivated and repeating his form of this season.
"He's playing out of his skin, he's an influential and key member of the squad." Grainger also paid tribute to the hundreds of travelling Newport fans at Newcastle, and their relationship with financial backer Tony Brown.
"If ever Tony was worried about any future involvement, that settled it," he said. "He was moved to tears and I can only see him becoming more and more involved."
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