NEWPORT County AFC have signed midfielder Mark Byrne on a short-term contract until January to fill the gap left by the injury to Max Porter.

Byrne, who previously played under Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh at Rushden & Diamonds, has been on trial with County during pre-season and scored at Evesham United last week.

The Dublin-born 25-year-old has also played for Nottingham Forest, Burton Albion and Barnet.

“We’ve signed Mark up until January as that takes us up to the maximum budget at the present,” said Edinburgh.

“I don’t think he needs time to impress because I know what he’s about but it gives us time to move things about.

“If we’re successful on the pitch the budget will increase and will be able to increase the length of Mark’s stay.

“We’re delighted to get the deal done, especially with what happened to Max Porter in the first game.

“I worked for a year with Mark at Rushden and he’s a modern day midfield player,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and I’m sure he’ll be a crowd favourite.”

Byrne said: “I’m delighted to have signed. It’s been ongoing for the last couple of weeks so I’m pleased it’s all done now.

“I’ve played a full season under Justin at Rushden and I’m very happy to link up with him again.

“I know him well and I know one or two of the lads as well and once I knew that Justin was interested I came down here as soon as possible.”

Fellow trialists Sheldon Sellears, Joe Carter and Jack Simmons have not been offered contracts but Edinburgh will keep tabs on the progress of right-back Sellears at Bishop’s Stortford.

TNS winger Chris Jones is likely to get a chance to impress Edinburgh in tomorrow night’s friendly at Weston-super-Mare.