NEWPORT player-boss Steve Tate believes he has delivered what the fans wanted by bringing striker Jamie O'Rourke back to the Isle of Wight club.

After much speculation about his future, the leggy frontman has been brought in from the cold of the Havant & Waterlooville subs' bench for an undisclosed fee.

Tate, who funded the transfer by selling frontman Danny Gibbons to Bashley last week, is fully aware of the criticism that has been levelled at Newport for relying too heavily on mainland players.

He said: "It's a tremendous boost for everyone that we've got one of the best players on the Island playing for the top club.

"I know how strongly the Isle of Wight people feel about having Island-based here and if I can bring in the best of them, then I will do.

"Jamie's the best striker on the Island and now he's playing for us. The fans have got what they wanted."

O'Rourke has flitted back and forth across The Solent during his career. He played for the old Waterlooville club during Billy Gilbert's reign then returned to Island soil with Cowes Sports before signing for Havant & Waterlooville in January 2000.

He and James Taylor formed one of the most prolific frontline partnerships in the Dr Martens Premier Division last season, with O'Rourke contributing 17 goals to their combined league tally of 45.

But the arrival of Warren Haughton at Westleigh Park has limited his chances this season and the 27-year-old postman was keen to get back to his Island roots and help wrench Newport away from the foot of the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

Tate, who is lining O'Rourke up for his debut at Ashford on Saturday said: "Jamie's arrival is going to give everyone a lift. He's a proven scorer at Premier Division level."