NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh is confident that he can keep all his top assets at Rodney Parade.

Edinburgh is currently negotiating with top-scorer Chris Zebroski, who he says is close to agreeing a new contract, and Wales international defender Darcy Blake.

Zebroski scored 13 goals for the Exiles despite the being sidelined for three months by a serious knee injury and Edinburgh says talks with the 27-year-old striker are progressing well.

“We’re advanced. I’m still in dialogue with Chris’ representatives probably for the last week, 10 days,” he told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

“I’m pretty confident we can probably get something concluded and sealed within the next two or three days.

“We’re not a million miles away so I don’t foresee that being a problem.”

Edinburgh is also hopeful that Blake will accept a new deal to stay at the club.

Blake, aged 25, was released by Premier League Crystal Palace in January and has excelled after regaining his fitness in League Two on a short-term contract.

The club have confirmed they are in talks with the former Cardiff City player from New Tredegar and Edinburgh is hopeful that Blake will stay.

“He’s made all the signals clear that he would like to stay,” Edinburgh said.

“Darcy knows what we’re trying to achieve and the good thing is he really enjoyed his time and settled in.

“He's been fantastic for us and we gave him that opportunity to get back playing.”

Edinburgh has released David Pipe, Ryan Burge and Harry Worley but looks set to retain midfielder Mike Flynn despite previously saying he would be released.

County have offered new deals to Lenny Pidgeley, Max Porter, Ismail Yakubu, Lee Minshull, Chris Zebroski, Andy Sandell and Danny Crow, while the manager is still in talks with Byron Anthony.

“As a manager it’s never easy to tell people that their services are no longer required at the club,” Edinburgh said.

“There’s never a good side to that, but obviously this is where the difficult part starts.

“There are a few players that are out of contract at the football club that I’d like to stay.

“Offers and negotiations have been made or are underway with either the player themselves or their representatives.

“Hopefully we can get these concluded in the not too distant future.”