CIRENCESTER TOWN manager Brian Hughes has pulled off a major coup with the signing of ex-Newport County midfielder Nathan Davies, a week before the start of the new Zamaretto Premier season.

Davies came on as a second-half substitute in the 3-2 friendly defeat for Town at Forest Green Rovers on Friday night.

The previous Wednesday, Davies brought the curtain down on his career at County with his testimonial game watched by a crowd of 700. Former Town striker Julian Alsop also played in the match.

Davies played almost 400 games for the Exiles in the course of his ten years with the club, having started as a 16-year-old in 2000.

The end of his time at Conference Premier side County was plagued by chronic ankle problems but Hughes said: "Nathan has had an ankle operation and has been training with us for three weeks.

"He is a lovely lad and comes highly recommended by Darren Robison, who played with him at Newport, and their assistant manager Tim Harris.

"It is great news ahead of the new season, as I seemed to have a lot of strikers but was light in midfield."

Hughes was frustrated by the defeat at the New Lawn where his side conceded two goals in the last five minutes having looked the better side against their Conference Premier neighbours Rob Hoskin had put Town in front in the first half and second half substitute Lyndon Tomkins scored what looked like the winner in the 83rd minute.