NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher admits that he has missed out on transfer targets because he has been outbid by rival clubs.

Butcher is working on a reduced budget compared to his predecessor Justin Edinburgh this time last year and says he cannot compete with bigger clubs in terms of the wages he is able to offer potential signings.

The Exiles boss has seen 15 players leave Rodney Parade this summer and has so far brought in four new players.

“I can’t say a lot yet because nothing has been signed officially but we’re making good progress,” said Butcher.

“I keep saying we’re making good progress but there’s a lot of work to do behind the scenes and a lot of players are away on holiday.

“Some of the targets that you go for go to other clubs for more money and that’s just the way things are so then you have to move on to another one.

“The quality that we’re after has been snapped up by other teams because they can pay more – it’s as simple as that.

“We just have to accept that and get on with it and move on to plan B, plan C, plan D and so on.

“We move on to other people but there’s still plenty of interest and a lot of people want to come here and we are working very hard to do that.”

County are also looking to recruit Butcher’s backroom staff and have advertised for an academy manager, physio and media officer this week, while work is also being done to improve the club’s training centre at the former Bar Amber site.

“We’ve got just under a couple of weeks until the boys report back for pre-season training and there is a lot of work being on here as well,” added Butcher.

“We’re ripping up seats and the building is getting a lick of paint as well with some volunteers coming down to help out, which is wonderful

“We want good first impressions for the new signings and the team that comes in to say this is going to be our home, this is what we’re about and we’re trying to make it as professional as we possibly can and have a right good season.

“The hard work starts on June 29 but already there is a considerable amount of hard work going on behind the scenes.

“We’re also looking for new staff as well and we’ll hopefully make some announcements on that pretty soon.

“We’ve obviously got to try to fill those positions as well – it’s a change off the pitch and on the pitch.”