NEWPORT County's summer shopping spree is hotting up with former Cardiff City and Swansea midfielder Kevin Aherne-Evans set to be boss Peter Nicholas' second signing in less than a week.

Discussions with the 23-year-old are at an advanced stage and he should put pen to paper this week as Nicholas looks to build his squad for next season's Conference South campaign.

Aherne-Evans, who can play in the middle or at the back, began his career with Leeds United before moving to Cardiff, Swansea and Merthyr Tydfil.

He was a main feature of the Martyrs' side last season and has been capped at under 21 level as well as for the Wales semi-professional side.

Evans impending arrival is the second major summer signing, former Swansea favourite Roger Freestone returning to Newport last week after an absence of 18 years.

One man who looks as though he will not be joining County, despite rumours to the contrary, is Cortez Belle. The big Merthyr hitman had been mulling over a possible move but it now looks certain that he will join Nationwide League new boys Chester City.

County made tentative enquiries about signing Belle, who lives in Newport, but the discussions had not reached the point where money was mentioned and with Merthyr in dire financial straits, they would be looking for a hefty pay-out for the striker, which makes Chester favourites in the chase to sign him, even though they are said to be more than £3m in debt.

Merthyr boss Andrew Beattie said he was aware of the rumours but as far as he knew the player was not going anywhere.

Beattie said: "I don't think the lad knows what he wants to do yet and even if he did go, there would be the issue of compensation.

"He is under 24 years old and under contract, so there would be issues regarding the money that we have invested in him and so on."

If Belle does join Mark Wright's Chester, another player who could follow him there is County's Terry Evans. The rock-solid defender consistently has been Newport's most reliable player and if Chester make an offer it would be hard for County and Evans to turn the move down.

The arrival of Aherne-Evans would certainly soften the blow of losing his namesake Terry and Nicholas has already stated that he is looking to bring in another half a dozen players before the new season starts.