Cale returns to TNS

Former coach Andy Cale has returned to the helm of The New Saints after previous boss Ken McKenna suddenly ended his 10-year association with the Welsh Premier champions.Cale, who led the Saints to their first title triumph back in 2000, had worked alongside McKenna in recent seasons before stepping down last term.

But he's now made a swift return to the club as head coach and will work with current academy director Mike Davies - former assistant at Newtown - who takes on the role of club football development manager.

The pair's first game in charge will be at home to Caernarfon Town tomorrow as the Saints bid to rekindle their title bid after picking up just four points from their last four outings,

McKenna, who had already confirmed he would step down at the end of the season, relinquished the reins five weeks early along with his coach Gary Brabin following a mutually agreed decision,

"I always said to Mike (Harris, managing director), that I'd be prepared to stand down before the end of the season if he had someone else he wanted to bring in," he said.

"It will give them chance to get to know and work with the players, and is an ideal opportunity as they look ahead to playing in Europe in the summer.

"From a selfish point of view I'm gutted as the club have got a great run of games coming up, and I wanted to see the season through as I believe they can still win the league for a fourth successive season.

"But I didn't want to stand in the way of the club, and it was in their best interests as they look to the future."

The departure of McKenna marked the end of an era which has seen him win every honour in the league, including three successive Welsh Premier crowns as well as the League Cup, Welsh Cup and FAW Premier Cup.