NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth today reveals his desire to re-sign defender Paul Cochlin, but the Argus understands the Exiles will have to move swiftly to get their man.

The 26-year-old was a big hit at Newport County over two and a half seasons despite suffering a potentially career-ending injury at Spytty Park and missing almost a year of action.

However, he was surprisingly released by County over the summer and joined John Relish at Bath City, only for Relish to walk away from Twerton Park this month.

New boss Adie Britton has told Cochlin he is no longer needed and Holdsworth is keen to land the giant defender, formerly of Merthyr and Cwmbran Town.

“We have talked with Paul and I would like to have him on board,” he said.

“He is a player who could really boost us, he can play anywhere across the back four and we will talk to him again this week.

“He has a situation to resolve at Bath, but certainly we would like him back.”

Cochlin was at Spytty Park on Saturday and also spoke with chairman Chris Blight.

However, the Argus understands that Cochlin impressed the hierarchy at Conference outfit Salisbury in a reserve game last week, also joining them for training.

If Salisbury can move a player out of their squad then they may well offer Cochlin a deal, so County will have to move swiftly to land their man.

Meanwhile, boss Holdsworth admitted his frustration at failing to secure three points, but insists his players gave their all.

“We looked jaded after the two games earlier in the week and half the team were unwell, so that didn’t help,” he said. “But I couldn’t fault their commitment or desire, if we’d taken our chances we could’ve won the game.”

Holdsworth was particularly happy with his side’s defending.

“We would have lost that game a month ago by gifting them a goal, but we are better defensively now, which is what I like,” he said.

“Ashley Vickers was a man mountain. It was a brilliant effort because he’s had a very hard week.”