NEWPORT County manager Justin Edinburgh started the summer clearout of his squad yesterday, informing three players that they are no longer in his plans.

Goalkeeper Glyn Thompson, left-back Lee Baker and striker Elliott Buchanan have all been released, while loan signings Nat Jarvis and Karl Darlow have returned to their parent clubs.

Thompson was the longest serving member of the Exiles squad having been signed by Peter Beadle in 2007.

His departure is no surprise after he lost his place to first Danny Potter and then Darlow during a turbulent final 12 months at the club.

But he signed off with a FA Trophy runners-up medal at Wembley on Saturday and he leaves the club with happy memories.

“It’s been a difficult last year and me leaving is no great shock but looking back at the whole five years the positives far outweigh the negatives,” said the 31-year-old. “The highlight was obviously the 2010 season under Dean Holdsworth when we won the title.

“Dean said to us at the time we should savour it because we may never get a season like it again where everything went right for us.

“When he left it was always going to be difficult for anyone to replicate that success.”

Thompson fought his way back into the side after being told not to report for training by then Exiles boss Anthony Hudson last summer and was delighted to end his Spytty Park career at Wembley, despite the disappointment of the 2-0 loss to York City.

“Since the end of last season it’s been hard for me and I don’t want to say too much,” he added.

“There was a lot said and it could have been handled a lot better but I got on with it and to go out at Wembley was great.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t win it but I think in a few weeks, or maybe even years, we’ll all look back on it as a great achievement.”

Thompson and Baker are both currently studying for their Uefa B coaching licences at Aston Villa’s training ground.

“I’d like to carry on playing but coaching is definitely something I want to pursue,” said Thompson, who currently coaches the goalkeepers at Shrewsbury Town.

- County look to end their season with some silverware when they take on Aberbargoed Buds in the final of the Gwent Senior Cup tonight. Edinburgh’s men will be hoping to retain the trophy they won under Hudson last season.

The match is being held at Risca United’s Ty-Isaf Park ground (kick-off 6.30pm).

- Ex-County midfielder Nathan Davies, aged 30, has signed for Merthyr Town for the 2012/2013 season as the Martyrs begin life back in the Southern League.

- County will face Dartford and Nuneaton next season after they won their respective Blue Square Bet South and North play-off promotion finals this week.