NEWPORT County will today announce the news that all their supporters have been waiting for, virtually the entire first team squad have already signed for next season.
County boss Peter Beadle has never wavered in his belief that the current squad are good enough to compete in the Conference South - even when the team were bottom of the league in March - and he has now agreed deals to keep at least 14 members of the current squad.
The only first team players who have not yet agreed to stay on are Gary Fisken, skipper Jason Bowen and defender Terry Evans who has been released.
Goalkeeper Tony Pennock is staying on, as are defenders Andrew Thomas, Paul Cochlin, Geraint Bater, John Brough and Ian Hillier.
Midfielders Lee Jenkins, Ashley Williams, Nathan Davies and Sam O'Sullivan have agreed deals along with strikers Matt Green and Craig Hughes.
Academy graduates Tyrone Toppar and Matt Prosser will also be playing for the Exiles next season, although the future of Bowen and Fisken are yet to be resolved.
Talks are ongoing with skipper Bowen and County are hopeful that he will sign. He has been with the club for two years and has expressed a desire to stay.
Fisken is more likely to move on. He is based in London and was initially seen as a short-term signing, although boss Beadle would like to keep him.
Striker Nathan Bailey, another short-term signing, has been offered the chance to do summer training with the club but has not been offered a new deal.
County director Colin Everett was upbeat as the club prepared to announce their retained list.
"We feel the amount of players retained reflects our aim to support and maintain the nucleus of the current playing squad," he said.
"We are confident in the ability of the group of players who are staying, but will be looking to boost the squad by bringing in select players who Peter feels can improve us further.
"The terms and conditions of the deals will remain confidential, but we hope supporters will be pleased to have everyone so committed well ahead of the new campaign."
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