Newport County are staging their own version of TV talent show X-Factor in a bid to unearth a new manager, with a raft of hopefuls being placed under the spotlight.

There are more managerial candidates than there are players at the club at the moment but they are hoping to have their star man in place by early next week.

Among the names in the frame are believed to be Carmarthen's Mark Aizlewood and Mark Jones, former Forest Green boss Alan Lewer, ex-Barry Town manager Gary Barnett, Taunton's Peter Beadle, ex-Chippenham's Steve White, Jeff Eckhardt, Ton Pentre's Scot Young with Jason Bowen, Bridgend boss Nicky Tucker, ex-Bolton John McGinley, Cwmbran boss Brian Coyne and his captain Jason Perry.

The Argus understands that several have been interviewed already and the board aim to complete the full process by Sunday with an announcement expected early next week.

The club won't confirm who or how many are going through the process and they have not yet decided whether or not the new boss will be employed on a non-contract basis or on a long term deal or if he will be full time or part time.

Meanwhile County have to travel to face Eastbourne on Nationwide Conference South business with what remains of a skeleton squad.

With Antonio Corbisiero, Wayne O'Sullivan and Dominic Reece all having been given the boot, following John Phillips, Nick Harrhy, Kwame Ampadu and Chris Curran out of the exit door, there were only 11 players at training on Tuesday night - including two goalkeepers and two injured players, Jason Bowen and Ian Hillier.

Bowen, who is acting coach alongside caretaker manager Glyn Jones, admits these are testing times but the side will be doing their best to get something from the trip.

"We only had 11 at training on Tuesday, which is not ideal, but we just have to get on with it," Bowen said. "The rest of the team will be made up of kids from the Academy but to be fair to the young lads who played last week, they came in and did ok."

If there are any positives ahead of the match, at least the Academy players are coming off the back of a good victory.

They put Weston out of the FA Youth Cup on Monday. And there may be a comeback for Bowen as well.

"At least one Newport County side are winning," Bowen quipped. "I came through light training ok but of course myself and Hillier are not match fit but there might be a chance of us making it."

A Bowen return would be more than welcome- he has missed all of County's last seven defeats.