NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh hopes to boost his injury-ravaged squad with a new loan signing today.

With Robbie Willmott ruled out for up to five months with a foot injury and Ryan Jackson still sidelined by a hamstring problem the Exiles boss is targeting a right wing-back.

And Edinburgh is also keen to extend the loan deals for Scott Tancock and James Loveridge from Swansea City ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Accrington Stanley.

“We’re hopeful that we can bring in a new face – a wing-back – and have him in place and available for Saturday,” he said.

“We’re fairly confident on that and it would be a big boost because it would just give us that natural balance and width.

“With one or two going out on loan that allows us to do that,” he added.

“Shaun Jeffers has extended his loan at Brackley for another month, Jamie Stephens has gone out to Gloucester and Joe Parker will stay there for another month as well.

“Christian Jolley looks like he’ll extend his loan as well so that allows us to balance the books and keep the bodies we have around us.”

Tancock’s initial one-month loan ended after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Southend United, when the central defender was substituted after a knock to the ribs.

“We’re in discussions with Swansea now and we’re hopeful that we can extend that for another month,” said Edinburgh.

“Hopefully we can get the deal concluded in time for him to be included in the squad for Saturday.

“We’d like to keep James as well,” he added. “We haven’t quite seen the best of him and that’s often the case with people bedding in and acclimatising to a new club.

“People understand that he’s had to fulfil a role that he’s not best suited to but I think he’s shown in patches that he’s an intelligent player.

“He’ll learn from that and it will certainly help his development but I’m fully aware that his best position is wide or up front.”

Edinburgh also revealed that Mark Byrne’s new contract should be signed this week and that negotiations have started with Peterborough United to try to secure goalkeeper Joe Day’s future.

“Joe is on loan here until the end of November and obviously we’d like to extend his stay,” said Edinburgh.

“We’re in negotiations with Joe and with Peterborough.

“Obviously with the performances he’s put in it makes things a little bit more difficult but we’ll be doing our all to conclude something sooner rather than later.

“He’s settled in well and the biggest thing is that he wants to stay.

“I certainly knew what I was bringing to the football club and he’s proved that since he’s been here.”

On Byrne, the manager added: “Talks are at an advanced stage and that should be concluded by the weekend.

“We’re delighted with that because since he’s been at the club he’s been a consistent performer at a high level.”

Byrne and Tancock should be fit for Saturday and Yan Klukowksi and Ismail Yakubu should also be available for selection.

“Adam Chapman and Danny Crow are probably another week away and it’s probably another week for Ryan Jackson as well,” said Edinburgh.

“Rene Howe is more long term and he’s looking at the New Year before he’s back with us.”