NEWPORT have parted company with head coach Sven Cronk, ending the former prop's seven-season spell in the Rodney Parade hotseat.

The 45-year-old, who has been hindered by a lengthy injury list and unavailability of players through Wales Under-20s, sevens and the British and Irish Cup call-ups, has resigned and brought forward his planned end-of-season exit.

Cronk has paid the price for the Black and Ambers' disastrous Principality Premiership campaign that sees them sitting bottom of the table, seven points behind Bridgend with just three wins from 16 games.

Newport will be saved from relegation if they fail to climb a place because runaway Swalec Championship leaders Bargoed do not have the criteria for promotion but it has been a demoralising campaign.

Cronk's assistant coaches Craig Warlow and Dai Gray will take the reins until the end of the campaign along with team manager Mark Workman.

A replacement will be appointed in the summer with a number of Gwent coaches sure to be on Newport's wish list.

Steve Law has consistently helped Bedwas punch above their weight while Cross Keys have enjoyed unprecedented success under the management team of Greg Woods and Jonathan Westwood.

Former Newport lock Neil Edwards started the Ebbw Vale revival before heading to Neath and is currently working wonders at Newbridge, helping the Welfare Ground side pull away from a Championship relegation dogfight.

Cronk played 183 times over two spells in the Newport front row, making his debut in 1994 and captaining the club in 1998/99 before leaving for Pontypridd.

He won the Welsh Cup at Sardis Road before returning to win the Premiership with the Black and Ambers in 2003/4.

Cronk joined the management team as assistant to Dai Rees in 2004 and was Ian Hembrow's right-hand man in 2006/7 before taking the reins in 2008.

The Black and Ambers finished as runners-up to Cardiff in his first campaign, with Cronk named as Premiership coach of the year, and were third the following season when a side skippered by Andrew Coombs also ruffled a few feathers in the British and Irish Cup by beating Exeter in a Rodney Parade thriller and Leinster A in Dublin.

Chairman Will Godfrey said: "We would like to thank Sven for his contribution to Newport RFC and are disappointed to lose someone with the integrity, expertise and work ethic of Sven.

"Sven was deservedly chosen as Premiership coach of the year and played a large part in the development of the club within the Premiership and of many players who have gone on to play at higher levels.

"Under Sven's leadership Newport had previously competed successfully in the league and the British Irish Cup.

"However recently player unavailability and an increasing long term injury list, especially of key players have made the role extremely difficult and been reflected in the results."

Warlow will lead preparations for Saturday's crucial Rodney Parade encounter with Cardiff as Newport attempt to reel in Bridgend and Neath while a tricky Swalec Cup quarter-final at Carmarthen Quins is on the horizon.