Dean Holdsworth: Former manager open to Newport County approach

Dean Holdsworth began his managerial career at Isthmian League side Redbridge FC

Former boss Dean Holdsworth has said he would welcome an approach from managerless Newport County.

Justin Edinburgh left the League Two side to take over at Gillingham with Jimmy Dack placed in caretaker charge.

Ex-Wimbledon striker Holdsworth, 46, spent three years at Newport leading them to the Conference before leaving for Aldershot in January 2011

"As far as I'm concerned there isn't a job available until someone makes that phone call," Holdsworth said.

"I'm obviously going to be linked with Newport, who are a club I respect and there are people there I really respect.

"I don't know what the club are thinking. They know that I'd certainly want to talk to them about that position if it became available.

"They've got a person in there at the moment who has taken control of that and who I fully respect."

Holdsworth spent a brief playing spell with Newport during the 2006-2007 season before embarking on his managerial career with Redbridge FC.

He left Redbridge to succeeded Peter Beadle at Newport in May 2008 and in his second season with the club led them to the Conference South title.

The former Bolton Wanderers player left County to take charge at then League Two side Aldershot Town in January 2011, before he was sacked in February 2013.

Holdsworth has been out of management since a five month spell at Chelmsford City ended in November 2013.