JOHN Hartson has finally made his long awaited move to Newport County… as a part time striker coach!

Hartson, 35, the former Wales and Arsenal man who battled back from cancer last year, is the red hot favourite with the bookies to become the new permanent manager at Spytty Park, betting companies closing the book on him within hours of Aldershot appointing Dean Holdsworth.

However, the Argus can reveal that Hartson’s career at County begins with a voluntary coaching role, once a week as the Exiles prepare to announce significant news across the board as they desperately bid to get their season back on track.

The Argus understands that they are closing in on a trio of new signings, announcements likely in the next 48 hours as the thin County squad is reinforced before the close of the January transfer window.

However, off the field, work has been undertaken to cover the losses of Holdsworth and his assistant Matt Bishop, UEFA A licensed coach James Rowberry returning to the club after a spell with Mangotsfield Town.

Rowberry used to work alongside Glyn Jones with the County academy and now joins another A licensed coach, Kevin Cooper, in assuming a role with the senior squad.

Hartson, who will balance his media commitments with a coaching role where he will work specifically with County’s strikers and attacking midfielders, will join them.

It’s all good news for caretaker boss Tim Harris, remaining remarkably upbeat despite the Exiles’ slump in form that has seen them pick up just a single point in 2011.

"I know that the fans are pretty down in the dumps and finding things a bit difficult, but we are very upbeat, I honestly feel like we’re moving along in the right direction," he said.

"At the moment we are working exceptionally hard to bring in new faces and we are closing in, getting there, but nothing is signed and sealed yet.

"But adding new faces to the squad is only half the battle."

Harris felt it was imperative to increase the coaching options at the club, new signing Wayne Hatswell also set to be involved, having also helped in recommending new signings.

It was Harris who approached both Rowberry and Hartson and he feels content to have improved his options on the training field.

"James is a highly respected young coach and a pleasant young man, the players like him and he fills the void left by Matt Bishop. He took his first training session on Tuesday and the players enjoyed it," he said.

"We are also thrilled to have got John Hartson on board, I spoke to him for a couple of hours on the phone and we’ve got some similar ideas.

"John asked how he could help the club, he wants to get involved but also has an increasing amount of responsibilities in the media.

"This is the best of both worlds. John is going to stick doing the media and also help us out when he can do,” added Harris.

"He’s going to work with the attacking players and you could see how they felt about that when I told them.

"Guys like Craig Reid and Robbie Matthews will have a bit of a spring in their step now and working with a top class player like John should help them out a lot."

The positive news doesn’t necessarily end there either, midfielder Jamie Collins’ position still unclear despite holding talks with League Two outfit Stevenage.

Collins, a target for Aldershot as well should County agree to make him an exception in the amnesty that means the Shots can’t sign their players until the summer, is yet to sign a deal with the FA Cup giantkillers and will speak to Harris again this week.

The Argus understands that if Collins were to go to Aldershot, the Exiles would only sanction a move if they were compensated.