FORMER Wales striker Nathan Blake says he is not ruling out a more ‘hands-on’ role at Newport County AFC in the future after being installed as a non-executive director.

The 43-year-old said he was ‘delighted’ to be involved with the club in the city where he was raised and confirmed his main job right now would be advising County on footballing matters.

But Blake, who finished his playing career with County in 2006, admits that a director of football job at Rodney Parade might be in the offing at some point.

For the moment, however, the media pundit is merely offering guidance to the Exiles and at his first meeting the decision was made to keep caretaker manager Jimmy Dack in place until the end of the season.

“I’m really looking forward to what I believe will be an exciting football experience at Newport,” said Blake.

“I was raised in Newport and started playing football at the club before moving to Chelsea, so I have a deep affection for County.

“Many of my mates at school were Newport fans so I’ve always been around it.

“In a way it was inevitable that, if they needed help and if they asked me, I would be more than happy to get on board.

“My work in the media has allowed me to air my opinions and the people at Newport evidently thought my views made sense.

“County are a club on the up for me. They came up from the Conference and are seventh in League Two. It’s exciting times. I’m delighted to be involved.”

County are in fact eighth in the table after losing 1-0 at home to Morecambe last weekend and Dack’s men face a tough trip to league leaders Burton Albion this Saturday.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men were beaten 1-0 at Accrington Stanley last night.