NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh has paid tribute to three "club stalwarts" as he closes in on new signings.

After leading Newport to survival in their first season in the Football League for a quarter of a century, Edinburgh has been busy with 17 players now tied to contracts for the next campaign.

With Mike Flynn and Byron Anthony also expected to be retained, a summer of fine tuning, rather than wholesale change, awaits at Rodney Parade.

And after seven players agreed new deals in the past few days, Edinburgh picked three as having major roles to play next term.

"We are also delighted to have kept hold of everyone and especially Max (Porter), Lenny (Pidgeley) and Minsh (Lee Minshull), who have all been stalwarts for the club."

Goalkeeper Pidgeley joined County on non-contract terms in August 2012 to cover an injury to Alan Julian and has gone on to play 64 games.

Midfielder Porter has been at the club since March 2012, initially on loan with Minshull arriving two months earlier, also on loan at first and both from AFC Wimbledon.

Portrer has made 64 appearances and Minshull passed the 100-game mark at the end of the season.

And Edinburgh is tipping the trio to hit new heights next season.

"I think Lenny staying is very important to us, there aren't many more reliable goalkeepers at this level," he said.

"There were so many games this season we lost by a single goal with Lenny missing two spells with injury and I think he'd have made a real difference for us.

"And Lee Minshull is another player who has become very important to us.

"I think he was integral for long periods this season, playing the best football of his career and he'll want to kick on again.

"With Max, because of the injury problems he's had, it wasn't such a worry of whether we'd be able to keep hold of him, probably more relief on his part.

"But there was never any doubt we'd want Max to stay because he's been absolutely top class for this football club.

"Before his injury he was in the form of his life and I think we saw glimpses after he came back feeling good that he's returning to that level."

Edinburgh revealed talks are progressing well in regard to attracting new players to the club.

"We are in discussions with three or four, we have identified a need to strengthen in defence and midfield and we are working towards that.

"Hopefully we might be able to announce something next week."