NELSON Jardim wants to add more players to his Newport County AFC squad and is braced for a busy last week of the transfer window.

The Exiles have had a big summer recruitment drive in which they have brought in 13 new players.

They also had some big departures with last season’s top scorer Will Evans sold to Mansfield for a fee that could hit £200,000 and the likes of Ryan Delaney, Scot Bennett, Omar Bogle and Harry Charsley heading for the exit.

Owner Huw Jenkins has led the transfer dealings along with head of football operations Chris Finn and a scouting network.

The signings have led to the Exiles giving squad numbers to 26 players – although that does include youngsters Nelson Sanca, Jac Norris and Dan Barton – but business isn’t done.

Asked if it important to strengthen before the August 30 deadline, Jardim replied: “Definitely, we are working hard at the club to make sure that we find the right players.

BOSS: Newport County head coach Nelson JardimBOSS: Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim (Image: Gareth Everett)

“There are a lot of players that want to come here and work with us – that’s a positive – but we have to make sure those that come are the right ones.

“We are looking to bring one or two more players in and in British football it is always a busy final week [of the transfer window], or final day… or final hour, why not!

“We are ready and know what we want, it’s just a question of making the right decisions and the situation with Hamzad [Kargbo, the striker who is out for three months] probably will make us think about what we can do in the last week.

“I would say one or two would do, but if the right opportunity and right player comes around then why not three?! We are assessing everything.

“I am always in contact with Huw [Jenkins, owner] and he works very hard every day with his team; there is a good connection between everyone and we know what we want with a clear idea of what type of player we would like to bring in.”

Any new arrivals don’t hinge on County sending any players out on loan despite what appears to be a sizable squad.

“We definitely need numbers,” said Jardim. “We are quite short at the moment and still have players in our academy who can step up and do a job for us.”

Of those on the 26-strong squad number list, just seven players are yet to get any action in the League Two opener at Cheltenham and Carabao Cup loss at Leyton Orient.

Young defenders Sanca Josh Seberry, and Joe Thomas were unused subs at Brisbane Road, midfielder Bryn Morris and winger Michael Spellman are nearing returns from injury and Norris and Barton are yet to feature.