MIDFIELDER Nathan Davies is the key casualty of Newport County’s promotion to Conference National after the club informed him last night that he will not be retained for next season.

Davies is the headline departure from the club gearing up for a first stint in English football’s fifth tier in over two decades.

Defender Martyn Giles is also heading for the exit door – though he’s set for a switch to the Welsh Premier League – after being released by the Exiles.

At the time of going to press, defender Paul Cochlin and striker Dave Gilroy’s futures were also uncertain for next term.

Cochlin is also understood to be interesting several WPL clubs, although talks are ongoing with him and Gilroy.

However, a trio of key players – Paul Bignot, Chris Todd and Scott Rogers – have been offered new deals and agreed to stay at Spytty Park after talks with manager Dean Holdsworth.

The London contingent of Charlie Henry and Jamie Collins are also set to be offered terms and the club are hopeful they will follow the likes of Craig Reid, Sam Foley, Danny Rose, Wayne Turk, Glyn Thompson and Gary Warren in signing on the dotted line.

Holdsworth is expecting to hold talks with both players later this week before the club’s end of season trip to Las Vegas, though neither was present last night.

Goalkeeper Kieron Blackburn, who was an ever-present on the bench this term, also looks likely to be retained, even though a third goalkeeper could be signed this summer.

Winger Takumi Ake, ruled out for most of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury, will not be offered a new deal yet. However, he will be invited for pre-season and there is every chance he could be retained by the club, the same situation applying to on-loan Bristol Rovers striker Ben Hunt.

Academy graduate Ricky Manship remains part of the manager’s long-term plans and will take part in pre-season before heading out on loan.

Holdsworth has asked to be kept informed in regards to Swansea City’s plans for winger Kerry Morgan, such a big hit for County in a loan spell this season.

However, despite such a high volume of news for the Exiles fans to digest, inevitably it’s the departure of Davies that will attract the most debate.

The Pontypool-born midfield lynchpin has been with the club for more than a decade since coming through their academy and made his league debut back in 2000.

Nicknamed Mr Newport County, Davies has played almost 400 games for the Exiles and though his departure will upset many, there is at least a silver lining for the Spytty Park faithful.

They will get a chance to wish Davies a proper farewell, the Argus can confirm that all County’s directors have unanimously agreed to grant Davies a testimonial following a decade of service and that will take place once pre-season begins.

Speaking after a night of contrasting emotions, Holdsworth admitted it has been a miserable few days.

“This is the worst part of my job without a doubt and of course, people will rightly focus on Nathan going, because he’s been part of the furniture here and a fantastic servant to the club,” he said. “He has been a great, great servant to this club and I have no doubts he’s good enough for this club, but the circumstances make it difficult.

“Having barely played all season because of his injury problems, the key thing for Nathan is to get game time. I can’t guarantee him that here and it’s sad he’s going because he’s a fantastic person too.

“I am thrilled he’s been granted a testimonial and without question deciding his future was the toughest decision I’ve had to make.

“But there is plenty of good news as well and hopefully, as the week unfolds, we will have more news for supporters.”

The Argus understands that Holdsworth and general manager Tim Harris were locked in talks for five hours on Monday, discussing both the retain/release list and agreeing on County’s key transfer targets for next season.