NEWPORT have been given an opportunity to sign Bath number eight Dan Lyle, the highy- rated American Eagles captain.

But they have decided not to pursue any interest, and are looking closer to home.

Newport have still not replaced England A blindside flanker Peter Buxton, who joined Gloucester at the end of last season, while Joe Powell has departed for Swansea.

That leaves them thin in the back row department where they have also had to train without Jason Forster and Gareth Gravell, who are both in the Wales Commonwealth Games squad.

"We have had conversations and enquiries about Dan Lyle, but there is not enough common ground and we are too far apart to make it worthwhile pursuing," said Newport chief executive Keith Grainger.

"He is a highly respected player, but the commitment at Newport is to investigate all Welsh opportunities, and there are some around."

Newport's pre-season ticket sales, meanwhile, have risen to 3,500 after the successful open day on Sunday.

"We had over 5,000 during the day, about half of them kids, and the players were brilliant with them," said Grainger.

"More junior Black & Ambers joined on Sunday than the whole of last year, so our kids' programme does associate with hearts and minds."