TONY Pulis says Terry Butcher is the right man to steer Newport County AFC to success.

New Exiles boss Butcher is set for a busy summer as he aims to rebuild the squad at Rodney Parade following 14 departures this month and Newport-born Pulis is also tackling choppy waters.

After guiding West Bromwich Albion to 13th place in the Premier League, Pulis is among a group of rowers attempting a gruelling crossing of the English Channel for charity.

But before he set off on the 450 nautical miles open water challenge, from Tower Bridge in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Baggies boss backed Butcher to have his hometown club shipshape by August.

“Terry’s the right man,” he told the Argus. “He’s got great experience outside this country, up in Scotland.

“He did well up there and I’m sure he’ll do exceptionally well at Newport.

“I hope he does. It’s my hometown club so I’ll always look out for them.”

But, after watching his side lose 4-1 at Arsenal in the final match of the campaign on Sunday, Pulis was in no mood to look ahead to the new Premier League season.

“Look ahead to next season? I am looking ahead to 6am to get down to Tower Bridge to jump in a boat to row across the Channel, with seven days in a boat now for charity,” he said.

“That’s the thing I’m thinking about more than anything else.”

Less than 100 rowers have successfully completed the Tower to Tower challenge – more people have stood at the summit of Mount Everest.

The epic journey started with the 24-strong team rowing down the Thames on Monday morning.

They will then cross the Channel from Ramsgate to Le Havre before travelling up the Seine to Paris.

If all goes according to plan they should finish in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on Monday, June 1.

The team will be rowing two 32ft Cornish gigs, with between four and six people on the oars at any one time, depending on weather conditions.

All crew members will take turns rowing for two hours and then resting for two hours; meaning there will always be at least four people rowing while the rest are sleeping, resting or eating, over seven days and nights.

The team will have to function while suffering from sleep deprivation, potentially rough seas, aching muscles, sea sickness and living in extremely cramped quarters.

The oar-some effort is in aid of the Donna Louise Children's Hospice in Stoke and organisers hope the challenge will highlight the difficulties faced by children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

To track the progress of the team and to donate visit www.towertotower.co.uk.