Newport County keep eye on transfer market after busy summer

The Exiles have so far brought in 10 players in a busy summer recruitment drive, all of them on two-year contracts.

Owner Huw Jenkins has led the transfer dealings along with a scouting network and head of football operations Chris Finn, but Jardim has also been involved in the process since being approached to head to Rodney Parade.

The Portuguese coach currently has a squad of 23 players but he has also given game time to a number of trialists in pre-season games at Undy, Pontypridd and Barry.

County head coach Nelson Jardim (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We are happy with the group but we are always, as any team should be, open to new faces,” said Jardim.

“As long as they bring a little bit more quality, we are always open to assess the market and hopefully take the best decisions.”

There is a glaring weakness at left-back with County having just one specialist in that position – summer signing Anthony Glennon.

Ellis Williams, a County fan from Newport who was most recently with Ammanford in Cymru South, has featured in pre-season down that flank with right-back Shane McLoughlin and forward Will Evans the other options.

The Exiles have also given game time to former Swansea academy prospect Cameron Evans, who was Taunton last season, at right-back.

With a cautious approach taken with Evans and Courtney Baker-Richardson due to niggles, a pair of trialists led the line last Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Cymru Premier Barry Town United.

Former Queens Park Rangers age-grade forward Hamzad Kargbo got the nod in the first half for his third outing of pre-season.

The 22-year-old is represented by Cobalt Sports Management Agency, who have strong links with chairman Jenkins.

County continue their build-up to the League Two opener at Cheltenham on August 10 when taking on Bristol City on Tuesday in a behind doors friendly at the Championship club’s training base.

Kiban Rai (middle) congratulates Aaron Wildig (left) after he scored for County at Barry Town United (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

County squad

Goalkeepers: Nick Townsend, Jacob Carney.

Right-back: Shane McLoughlin, Joe Thomas.

Left-back: Anthony Glennon.

Centre-back: James Clarke, Kyle Jameson, Matt Baker, Josh Seberry, Nelson Sanca.

Defender/midfielder: Ciaran Brennan.

Midfield: Bryn Morris, Cameron Antwi, Kai Whitmore, Jac Norris, Aaron Wildig, Nathan Wood.

Forwards: Will Evans, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Luke Jephcott, Oliver Greaves, Kiban Rai, Michael Spellman.