Cortez Belle, Newport County's controversial striker, has left the club by mutual agreement and linked with former manager Peter Nicholas at Welsh Premier League club Llanelli.

And the move, not completely unexpected, leaves the way clear for manager Peter Beadle to extend his wheeling and dealing, hopefully in time for two crunch games against the teams below County in the Nationwide Conference (South).

Beadle, watching a game yesterday afternoon, said: "We had an offer from Llanelli which the club thought was a good one and everyone knows that Cortez was one of the higher paid players so it was good business sense to accept the offer.

"It has made a bit of money for the club and it means that we can bring in new players.

"Cortez has been playing with a grey cloud over him. He was suspended when I came here and I think a move is the best thing for him, but for me he was superb in training and showed an excellent attitude. I just hope that he does well for Llanelli."

County travel to bottom club Carshalton on Saturday and the following week entertain Maidenhead, who are immediately below County with an inferior goal difference, both teams on 12 points while Carshalton are rooted at the foot of the table with one win from 21 league games.

County, looking upwards, can see Eastbourne Borough in the distance - ten points ahead of them - but the Welsh club have games in hand, one of the few crumbs of comfort for their long-suffering fans.

But it may be a defender first on the arrivals board at Newport Stadium with injuries to Paul Cochlin and Gareth Warton while Jason Bowen could be fit for the trip to Carshalton. Beadle added: "We are close to doing a deal for a defender this week but I am looking for a main striker and that may take a bit more time."

And the optimistic Beadle added: "I do feel that we are very, very close to turning the corner. The fans reaction after our defeat at Weston on Monday was good. They stayed and applauded the team from the field. That would not happen if we were not doing things right.

"We are being punished for lapses in concentration, but we are on the right track and so close to turning it around. There would be no better time to get points on the board than from the next two games."