NEWPORT County will sign goalkeeper James Bittner on a short-term deal to cover the absence of Lenny Pidgeley.

Pidgeley, who yesterday lined-up for the County squad photo for the new campaign, has missed the entire pre-season programme due to personal issues.

That means summer signing from Liverpool, Jamie Stephens, is set to begin the campaign in goal for the Exiles, but the experienced Bittner will join to provide competition.

Pidgeley said on Twitter: “Hearing a few rumours why I haven’t been back pre-season, which none are true.

“I’m not leaving the club, I’ve just been off due to personal reasons which the club and especially the gaffer have supported me and dealt with brilliantly.

“Did my first training session today which went well, great to be back in with such a great set of lads and hopefully back playing soon.”

Bittner, 31, was surprisingly released by Hereford United at the end of last season after previous spells with Salisbury and Forest Green, where he gained a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in non-league football.

However, Bittner told the Non League Paper earlier this summer that he hadn’t received a call to enquire about his availability, also Tweeting that he had recently started working on a building site.

He now has at least a month to prove his worth at Rodney Parade and remind other suitors of his quality.

“Jamie should be tied up today or tomorrow, he’s agreed to come here, just for a month to take the pressure off of Jamie Stephens and Lenny Pidgeley,” manager Justin Edinburgh explained.

“Lenny hasn’t been available in pre-season and Jamie is here for competition, it wouldn’t be a good situation to go into the season with only Jamie available to us.

“Jamie is a good goalkeeper and people should be reminded of that by him coming here and it puts us in a position to go slowly with Lenny and bring him back properly.”

Both Newport County and the South Wales Argus have fielded many enquiries about Pidgeley in recent weeks, but Edinburgh has no regrets on how the situation has been handled, making clear that his only priority was to the player himself.

“Lenny is an important part of the squad and we know is a fantastic goalkeeper,” Edinburgh said.

“As soon as he’s ready he’ll be welcomed back with open arms and he knows that as well, but we don’t want to rush him.”

The Exiles are closing in on defender Ryan Jackson, also included on the squad picture yesterday.

Jackson, who has been earmarked for the number 18 shirt at Rodney Parade, will sign subject to the completion of the paperwork which is taking longer than expected.

The deal hadn’t been confirmed as of yesterday afternoon.