NEWPORT County chairman Chris Blight admits being inundated with calls about the manager's job at Spytty Park and has already spoken to four potential candidates.

Blight sacked Peter Beadle on Sunday following the 2-1 home defeat against Fisher which condemned the Exiles to another year in the Blue Square South and he's wasted no time in starting the search for a successor.

"We are keen to get a new manager in place as soon as possible," said Blight.

"We are advertising and word has obviously got around as I've already been contacted about the post and I spoke to four people on Monday."

Blight emphasised it is important to find a replacement quickly as the whole playing staff is currently out of contract and free to join other clubs.

"The club is in a state of flux," he said. "There are a lot of players we as a board would like to keep but there are some that will no longer be required.

"I will be addressing the squad tomorrow and we will have a chat about the situation but it is obviously better to get someone in quickly because he will have his own ideas about the playing staff.

"What I would say is that if any of the players decided they wanted to go elsewhere then that is entirely up to them.

"We have to start all over again and it must be remembered that these players failed to get us what we want - promotion to the Conference.

"I waited 38 weeks of the season to find out that we wouldn't make the play-offs so if the players can't wait a few days or a week until we find a new manager then it's up to them."

Blight also revealed that he has had further discussions with Beadle since informing him of his decision on Sunday and that the pair have parted on good terms.

"I have spoken to Peter again and we are on amicable terms," he said.

"We talked for about 30 minutes and he understands that football is a tough business.

"I'm sure that our paths will cross again in the future and I wish him well.

"Peter brought a lot of good to this club in the two-and-a-half years he was here.

"His enthusiasm was unlimited but results are what football clubs require and in the end it didn't happen."

Responding to Jason Bowen's comments in yesterday's Argus, Blight said: "To a certain extent Jason is right in what he says about Peter turning the club round and rescuing us from relegation, but don't forget that the board also had a big part in that.

"As a group of 10 directors we put our hands in our pockets and gave Peter the financial help he required.

"He had a budget well in excess of anyone else at the club in the past and for two seasons running we have missed out on the play-offs.

"Since winning the FAW Premier Cup in March our form has been unacceptable and being stuffed 4-1 by a club like Thurrock is hard to take."

Blight refused to be drawn on who is in contention to take over but those thought to be in the frame include Bath City's John Relish, a good friend of Blight, former club captain John Brough, now coaching at Cheltenham Town, and Ken McKenna, sacked by Welsh Premier side The New Saints recently.

Other possibilities could include Beadle's assistant Scott Young, former bosses Peter Nicholas and Colin Addison, ex-County striker Dean Holdsworth, who has enjoyed success as player-manager of Ryman League club Redbridge FC this season, and Andy Clement who enjoyed a short spell on loan at County in their last season in the football league.

Along with Steve Moss and later Ian Savage, Clement has helped guide Farnborough FC to the title in the Southern League Division One South & West this year.

Outsiders who may also be in contention include former players Mark Aizlewood and John Aldridge, Andy Beattie, who was in charge of the Wales semi-pro side with John Relish, Jim Harvey of Forest Green Rovers and, perhaps less realistically, Peter Taylor, Steve Cotterill and Wales under-21 boss Brian Flynn.

Steven King, sacked by Lewes after clinching the Blue Square South title this season, is out of the running after landing the Woking job.