PLAYER-COACH Wayne Hatswell will take charge of Newport County for this afternoon’s Gwent Senior Cup final against Croesyceiliog.

Manager Anthony Hudson will attend the match at Abergavenny Thursdays’ Pen-y-Pound Stadium but Hatswell has been asked to take over team affairs for the day.

The 36-year-old was one of Dean Holdsworth’s last signings for the Exiles, arriving from Irish outfit Dundalk in December last year.

He made 11 appearances under Holdsworth, now at League Two Aldershot, caretaker boss Tim Harris and new man Hudson.

Despite the arrival of new assistant manager Lee Harrison last week, Hatswell remains an important part of the playing and coaching staff and his role today will be seen as a big vote of confidence in his coaching ability.

It’s unlikely that many of County’s Blue Square Bet Premier League side will be involved against MacWhirter Welsh League Two club Croesy today.

The majority of the squad are on a well-earned break after the last BSP match at Gateshead on April 30 before returning to training at the end of June.

Hatswell is likely to have a handful of first-teamers with the rest of the squad made up of youth team prospects.

“They will see it as a chance to have a look at a few people for next season so it might give us a chance to cause an upset even though we will be underdogs,” said Croesy boss Gareth Morgan.