NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Coughlan already has plans in place for next season – and he isn’t plotting a summer of major change.

The Exiles have nine games left of the League Two campaign, starting with tomorrow’s trip to seventh-placed AFC Wimbledon.

County are contenders for the play-offs but the manager insists he is merely focused on showing the strides they have made by beating last year’s tally of 57 points.

That is despite being forced into an unexpected summer rebuild after the loss of four key players to League Two rivals – Mickey Demetriou, Cameron Norman, Priestley Farquharson and Aaron Lewis.

Coughlan is hoping to have a calmer close season and is already shaping his squad for 2024/25.

The likes of Scot Bennett, Ryan Delaney, Declan Drysdale, Aaron Wildig, Harry Charsley, James Waite, Omar Bogle and Offrande Zanzala are out of contract while loanees Adam Lewis and Matt Baker are coming to the end of deals at their parent clubs.

There could be renewed interest in top scorer Will Evans and influential right-back Shane McLoughlin, while decisions are to be made on academy talent.

South Wales Argus: STALWART: Scot Bennett is keen to extend his County staySTALWART: Scot Bennett is keen to extend his County stay (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

New owner Huw Jenkins will be heavily involved in the squad building – a role he did successfully at Swansea – and Coughlan is looking to retain the core of his squad.

“Like I said last year, I don’t envisage massive change or a massive turnover,” said the manager, who was hindered by the financial situation when losing his influential quartet.

“With the group of lads we have, barring a catastrophe or their performance levels dipping massively between now and the end of the season, I don’t envisage a massive turnover.”

The presence of Jenkins gives Coughlan the confidence that he will be able to execute his plans.

“I was clear at this stage last year of what I wanted to do and how we wanted to do it. I had put a lot in place,” said the manager, who works closely with head of football operations Chris Finn on recruitment.

“Our pre-season is planned and sorted, our retained and released list is probably all planned and sorted,we are making headway with our targets.

“Every manager at every club would have that in place so I am not saying we are anything special, but we have got a lot organised and in place.

“We do know the direction in which we want to travel and if we can make the same progress next year as we have over the last 12 months, we will be in a stronger position.

“There is no doubt this club has made giant strides and since Huw has come in it has given us stability and clarity. The place is a lot better and stronger.”

County have played 48 games this season, so Coughlan knows all about his squad but the nine fixtures remaining could still impact next year.

“As a player, until I got it down in black and white I felt I was never assured or guaranteed anything,” he said. “The players have a lot to play for.”