NEWPORT County boss Jimmy Dack is urging his successor not to dismantle the current playing squad at Rodney Parade, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Exiles can’t finish lower than ninth in their second campaign in the Football League and could finish as high as eighth, just one spot outside the play-offs.

Dack believes that illustrates a vast improvement for the Exiles and he passionately believes the current crop of players needs tinkering with, rather than any wholesale changes.

The Exiles currently have just three players – Yan Klukowski, Mark Byrne and Joe Day – under contract for next season.

“I would be disappointed if a majority of this squad is allowed to leave,” Dack told the Argus.

“What they’ve done and we’ve done is nothing short of fantastic.

“Look at the size of some of the clubs who will be plying their trade in the Conference next season, your Grimsby or your Tranmere.

“For us to get out that league, when no-one expected it, shows the spirit and the fight in our group.

“I’ve always said we aren’t the best football team to the eye, but what we lack in that area we gain in heart and spirit.

“We’ve always had more in those departments.”

Dack insists County have a reputation for being tough to play against and hopes that legacy can continue.

“Opposition managers are always saying that we are one of the hardest teams to play against, because our players play for each other,” he said.

“I will be disappointed if that gets broken up, but all good things come to an end and the players who do leave will go on to have good careers elsewhere if that is what happens. Because they deserve it.”