MIDFIELDER Mat Liddiard has returned to Gloucester City after his trial with Newport County AFC.

Liddiard has been training with County over the past fortnight and was among a host of trialists to feature in last night’s pre-season friendly against Welsh League Division Two club Undy AFC in Chepstow, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Liddiard, who works for Gloucester Rugby's community department, left Evesham United at the end of last season and agreed to rejoin National League South side Gloucester City.

He spent one year at the Jubilee Stadium after leaving Cirencester Town, where he was club captain.

The 25-year-old, who can also play at centre-half, helped Evesham reach the play-offs for a third time in four years, but they were beaten on penalties by Swindon Supermarine in the semi-finals.

He scored 21 goals in the 2017-2018 season, providing a major threat from set-pieces with his aerial ability and winning both the manager’s and players’ player of the year awards.

After last night's match Liddiard posted on Twitter: "Went well but unfortunately nothing come from it. Looking forward to the season now with Gloucester City."

Some trialists are also expected to be in action for the Exiles at Chippenham Town this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) but manager Michael Flynn is likely to field a relatively strong side.

County are set to be up against a number of former players at Chippenham’s Hardenhuish Park.

Former Exiles employees Kieran Parselle, Jack Compton, Yan Klukowski, Curtis MacDonald, Nat Jarvis and Andy Sandell are all on the Bluebirds’ books.

Sandell scored against County in the friendly between the two sides last summer.

The 34-year-old played at left-back, left wing-back or in central defence for Justin Edinburgh and Jimmy Dack between 2012 and 2015 but is now a striker for Chippenham.

He cancelled out Robbie Willmott’s free-kick 12 months ago before Marlon Jackson scored the winner for Flynn’s men, who fielded ex-Arsenal man Sanchez Watt as a trialist.

Tickets for this afternoon’s match cost £8 for adults, £5 for over-60s and £3 forunder-18s. Under-16s get in free if accompanied by a paying adult.

County have two friendlies lined up for Wednesday – a behind-closed-doors match at Swansea City at 3pm and another at Welsh League Division One side Penybont at 7.30pm.

They then go to Hereford next Saturday before hosting a Stoke City XI in Newport on July 28.

On Tuesday, July 31, the club will be taking over the Usk Vale Pub in Malpas for its annual Evening with the First Team event.

Tickets cost £12 per person (plus booking fee) and attendees will get a two-course meal while listening to an interview with manager Flynn, who will be looking back on the successes of last season and looking ahead to the 2018-2019 campaign.

Each table will be joined by two members of the first team and there will also be a chance to win prizes in a special raffle. Doors open at 7pm with food served at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the event will be limited so fans are advised to book early via the club website to avoid disappointment.

County begin their League Two campaign four days later at Mansfield Town on Saturday, August 4.