FORMER Newport County AFC boss Anthony Hudson is tipping the Exiles to push for a League Two play-off place this season.

County make their return to the Football League after a 25-year absence when the new season kicks-off at home to Accrington Stanley on August 3.

Hudson, who was sacked by the Exiles in September 2010, is now coach of Bahrain’s Olympic and under-23 teams.

And having spent six months in charge at County he is confident of more than survival this season.

The son of former England international Alan Hudson told Inside Futbol: “Promotion for Newport was fantastic. It’s a great club with fantastic fans. It didn’t work out for me but it’s not the end of the world.

“But they will definitely be able to stay in the league. I actually think they will do well. And I think they won’t just stay in the league. If they carry on with their momentum, they could even push on for the play-off places. And you never know from there.

“Most teams that get promoted from the Conference do well. The clubs in the top half of the Conference are probably as strong, if not stronger, than the bottom six, seven, eight, or even nine clubs in League Two.”

Hudson, who has spent time learning the managerial trade under former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, also feels Conference teams and players can no longer be underestimated.

The division may lie four rungs below the heady heights of the Premier League, but Hudson added: “The standard of football in the Conference is very good and there are some good players.

“Financially, as well, the conference is very strong. It’s very difficult, once you go into the Conference, to get out of it because there’s some big clubs in there. There are no easy games now in that division.”

Hudson was also talking up Welsh star Gareth Bale, who he saw progress first hand while coaching at Tottenham.

“I never worked with Gareth, but I spoke to him on a daily basis. He’s a very down-to-earth person and a fantastic talent. He can be one of the best,” Hudson said. “I don’t know if he’s showing it at the highest levels, when you’re talking about Champions League and even internationally,” he continued.

“I think when you’re doing it against the best teams in Europe often, then you can be up there with Messi. But he’s certainly well on his way to doing that.”