NEWPORT County are hoping to finally secure the signature of Bath City striker Martin Paul tonight in a £3,000 deal.

Speculation has been growing for the past fortnight that Paul will sign for County and he is expected to put pen to paper at Spytty Park Stadium after returning from holiday.

County are keen to seal the deal quickly, especially with Paul's prolific record of having scored 96 goals in 180 games for City and being Bath's top goal-scorer in the last four seasons.

Although County manager Tim Harris is on holiday until next week, chairman Wallace Brown wants to sign Paul by the weekend at the latest.

It has already been a busy close season with defender Ryan Souter and midfielder Darren Ryan already signed up, while Forest Green Rovers' defender Billy Clark is expected to join County for a £1,000 deal in the next few weeks.

Clark is an experienced central defender who has played for league sides Bournemouth and Bristol Rovers.

Playing alongside former Bury player Souter, the duo could radically transform the County defence which struggled at the end of last season.

The signings of both Clark and Paul are being funded by cash made available from the new Amber Army initiative amongst supporters, which is going from strength to strength.

*NEWPORT have added Swansea City to their list of pre-season friendlies.

County will play City (7pm) at Spytty Park Stadium on Monday July 23, before playing Shrewsbury Town on Wednesday July 25 (7.45pm) in what will be a stern test for Tim Harris' side.

Fri July 13 v Bishops Cleeve 6.45pm away, Sat July 14 v Pill AFC 3pm away, Sat July 21 v Bangor City 3pm away, Mon July 23 v Swansea City 7pm home, Weds July 25 v Shrewsbury Town 7.45pm home, Weds Aug 1 v Forest Green Rovers 7.45pm home, Sat Aug 4 v Yeovil Town 3pm home.