Hughes and Hatswell could be a 'recipe for success' - O'Brien

Former defender Mark O'Brien believes the combination of new manager David Hughes and returning assistant boss Wayne Hatswell could be a "recipe for success" for Newport County.

Hughes, 47, has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach at Manchester United.

The Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of a season which saw County finish 22nd in the league table.

Hatswell, 50, was previously number two at Newport under Mike Flynn and leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Rodney Parade.

"Realistically I think it's a really positive appointment and to add to that I think the appointment of Wayne Hatswell coming in alongside him is another massive thing for the club," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"He's someone who has probably been through a lot with Newport and seen a lot of positives so to add that experience along with a new manager who understands what it's like to work with young players - being at Manchester United's under-21s - there's going to be a level of standards that will be expected of the players next year.

"[Hatswell's] record speaks for itself where he's taken Newport to really big heights over seasons when I played there and hopefully Dave Hughes is going to be somebody who refines that a little bit more and who looks like he's going to be able to work with young players, which the Newport County squad have a lot of. It could be a very good recipe for success that has come in the door."