Former Neath trio set for trial with Exiles

THREE former Neath players, without a club since the Eagles were wound-up at the High Court last month, are on trial with Newport County.

Kerry Morgan, Chris Jones and Sam Gwynne are set to feature as trialists in the Exiles’ pre-season friendly at Welsh League outfit Undy Athletic on Friday.

Former fans’ favourite Morgan played a key role in County’s promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier under Dean Holdsworth in 2010 while on loan from Swansea City, where he started his career.

Dowlais-born Morgan came through the Swansea youth ranks and played a handful of times for the first team until loan stints at Port Talbot Town, Neath and then Newport. He re-joined Neath last summer when he was released by the Swans.

Winger Jones, 22, who also began at the Swans, has been capped by Wales at under-17, 19 and 21 levels, as well as playing for the Wales Under-23 semi-pros last season.

Jones was loaned to Neath from Grimsby Town in January 2010 before returning to Blundell Park, only to move back to The Gnoll on a permanent basis, scoring 14 goals in 76 Welsh Premier League appearances.

Central midfielder Gwynne, 24, made more than 50 first team appearances for hometown club Hereford United before leaving for Neath after a loan spell at AFC Telford United. However, he left Wales to finish last season at Westfields in the Midland Football Alliance.

Meanwhile, former Tranmere Rovers midfielder Andy Parkinson has signed for Prestatyn Town from Aberystwyth.

Parkinson, who started out as a trainee at Liverpool, was snapped up by Prestatyn player-manager Neil Gibson, who he previously played with at Prenton Park.

“Neil was an ex-team-mate at Tranmere and we’ve always had each other’s numbers so when he called asking me to sign I was happy to sit down and talk to him,” said 33-year-old Parkinson.

“I trust him, he told me what his intentions were for the coming year and he is very professional in his approach. As an ex-pro myself I expect certain standards to be set and his attitude and the professional way he carries out his business was a big selling point for me.”