NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh believes new signing Yan Klukowski can help to bring the best out of Adam Chapman.

The Exiles swooped for free agent Klukowski, who has scored 49 goals in four seasons for Forest Green Rovers, after his contract at the New Lawn expired.

He fills the void left by the departed Ryan Burge and Edinburgh is also targeting the acquisition of another attacking midfielder.

No County midfielder managed double figures last term and Chapman had a mixed campaign on his return to Newport.

He was superb under Edinburgh during a previous loan spell and Exiles fans had extremely high hopes for his return.

He made 46 appearances last term and scored three goals, but he was also booked 11 times and red carded once as injury and suspension hurt his form.

Chapman was even the target of the boo-boys in his final couple of appearances at Rodney Parade but Edinburgh believes he has to do more to get the best out of the former Mansfield man.

Explaining how key Chapman is to his future plans, the manager explained: "I think Adam Chapman is the most gifted midfielder in the division, he can do things with a ball that other players simply can't.

"We have to find ways to get him to his best and most effective and I think to do that, you need players making those runs that he can find.

"His passing is a real asset for us and when he played previously with Sam Foley (ex-midfielder), it was probably the best time of Sam's career.

"If you think back to Mike Flynn's goal on Boxing Day at Wycombe, I think Adam Chapman is the only player in League Two who could spot that run and pick the pass.

"Yan is a typical box-to-box type midfielder and I think that is going to really help Adam."

Edinburgh has also moved to reassure supporters despite the fact Darcy Blake is now unlikely to join the Exiles.

The former Wales international spent the end of the last campaign at Rodney Parade after being released by Premier League Crystal Palace and had indicated a desire to remain at County for family reasons.

However, after discussions, Edinburgh is now expecting Blake to target a club higher up the pyramid.

"We have had many good discussions with Darcy ever since he came here," Edinburgh said.

"He enjoyed his time here and in an ideal world, we'd have got it done.

"But on both sides there is a lot to think about. Darcy is still young and has the pedigree to play at a higher level without a doubt.

"And from our perspective, we have to be realistic with wages and budgets and being fair to all our squad.

"So it doesn't look likely at the moment, but we feel we are going to be strong with our defensive options next season."