Former Cardiff City goals ace Michael Chopra is set for a return to South Wales.
Geordie ‘Chops’ is training with Hartlepool United, who play Newport County away in a League Two match at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3pm).
The 33-year-old ex-Newcastle and Sunderland hitman has netted more than 100 goals during his career, well over half of those for the Bluebirds, and could be the first signing for new Pools manager Dave Jones.
Jones and his assistant Kevin Cooper worked with Chopra extensively at Cardiff City and there is no doubt he could be in Hartlepool’s squad for their trip to South Wales this weekend.
He is a free agent, has been working with the first team squad at their Maiden Castle training headquarters and could be offered a short-term contract until the end of this season.
Chopra spent time playing for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Premier League, while he has also played for Watford, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, Ipswich, Blackpool and Alloa Athletic.
Jones will make a final decision on whether to sign Chopra later this week, while Newport County manager Graham Westley has added a 12th January signing to his squad.
Eastleigh striker Ryan Bird, 29, has joined the Exiles on a permanent deal and will be available to play against Hartlepool.
County, bottom of League Two, are in desperate need of a home win against Pools and Westley believes Bird will strengthen their cause.
”Ryan has a strong track record in situations like ours and in our league,” Westley told the club’s website.
“He is both a target man and an able runner, essential ingredients on our pitch.”
The 6ft 4ins Bird started his career at non-league Burnham, scoring 41 goals in 39 Southern League fixtures at one stage, and moved to Portsmouth in 2013.
He had a loan spell at Hartlepool in 2015, scoring twice in six appearances, and has also played for Cambridge United and Yeovil Town.
Newport’s signings this month have been Ryan Bird, Mitchell Rose, Alex Samuel, Flo Bojaj, Mickey Demetriou, Craig Reid, David Pipe, Sid Nelson, Mark O’Brien, Jaanai Gordon, Aaron Williams and Michael Flynn, who re-registered as a player.
The nine players who left Rodney Parade were Jack Jebb, Josh O’Hanlon, Jon Parkin, Abdoulaye Meite, Rhys Healey, Kyle Cameron, Jordan Green, Dafydd Jones and Ben Jones.