NEW County signing Andy Legg has revealed he turned down a string of League clubs this season who tried to tempt him out of retirement, but he couldn't resist a call to arms to help a struggling Welsh outfit.

Legg, 39, spent much of 2005/06 undergoing treatment because of a cancerous tumour in his neck, which forced him to leave Peterborough United and retire as a professional footballer.

However Legg has not been having treatment for six months and despite fears from doctors that the tumour may led to restricted movement in his neck, shoulder and arm feels fit enough to play competitively and signed for County on Friday night.

He made his debut for the Conference South basement boys in Saturday's drubbing against Weymouth, but is delighted to be playing for a club he holds in such high esteem.

"I have had loads of offers, mostly from League clubs, but I had no interest in getting back into it to be honest," he said.

"It is only six months on from me ending my cancer treatment and I am struggling for fitness, but a call to arms to help out a Welsh club was something I couldn't resist.

"When I played for Cardiff City I lived in Newport, I have seen them play in the days when they were at Somerton Park and it is a club that deserves better.

"If I don't feel I can contribute on the field I will soon say so, but although I was knackered after the Weymouth game, I think my fitness will improve and stand up."

Legg may be delighted to have signed for County, but he was not impressed with what he saw at Weymouth and is urging his new team-mates to buck up their ideas before tomorrow's do or die clash with Hayes at home (kick-off 7.45pm).

He explained: "Our performance on Saturday was unacceptable as the manager said and if that is the standard the players have set then we are going down.

"The work-rate didn't seem to be good enough, a lot of the players weren't getting stuck into the 50/50 challenges and that will disappoint the fans.

"The manager can't be blamed, Pete is a smashing bloke and he says exactly the right things at the right times in the dressing room, it is time for this group of players to take responsibility for the problems we have.

"A manager is only as good as his players and ours must do more.

"From a personal point of view, I would love nothing better than to end my career by helping to keep this club in the Conference South and I honestly believe that can happen."

- Andy Legg's benefit match is at Cardiff City's Ninian Park next Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

It will feature past and present Bluebirds sides and legendary names from Welsh football including Ian Rush and Neville Southall.

"Hopefully we will get a really good crowd coming along because a lot of the money raised is going to go to various cancer charities, obviously a cause very close to my heart," he said.