NEWPORT County manager Dean Holdsworth admitted he has lost count of the number of signings he’s made after sealing his final deal of a frantic summer.
Striker Jamal Easter became Holdsworth’s 13th acquisition after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against a Leeds United XI at Spytty Park.
“I’ve agreed a deal with Jamal and he’ll be signing. I’m delighted that he’s on board,” said Holdsworth.
“I don’t know how many I’ve signed now but we’ve got options, definitely!”
Easter, 20, joins fellow strikers Phil Walsh, Paul Hall and Rob Duffy, midfielders Adie Harris, Danny Rose, Kevin Cooper and Anthony Church and defenders Kevin Stephens, David Collins, Nick Skelton, Martyn Giles and Paul Keddle in the arrivals lounge at Spytty Park, but Holdsworth admitted that there will be no more shopping.
“No, my hands are tied, but I’m happy with my squad. I’m really pleased,” he said.
The new-look Exiles put on an impressive display in front of 1,041 fans on Saturday, matching their League One opponents, who included several first-teamers, for long periods, only to lose to an 85th- minute goal from Nathan Cartman.
“I’m not pleased with the result but overall we showed a lot of really good signs and we were playing against a lot of Championship-quality players so we will take a lot of confidence from that,” said Holdsworth.
“We looked really good. I was disappointed with the goal but other than that I think we held our own and there won’t be many Leeds Uniteds coming down here this season.
“People are disappointed at getting beaten by Leeds, narrowly in the last few minutes, so that is a good sign,” he added.
And, with a mouth-watering Blue Square South opener against AFC Wimbledon just five days away, Holdsworth is confident of getting off to a good start.
“I’ve got a fair idea of what my squad of 16 or 18 will be next week and the pleasing thing is that we’re all fit, organised and raring to go,” he said.
“I can’t wait for the Dons to come down here. This place will be rocking and we’ll give the fans a lot to sing about.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here