NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney is still in talks with several transfer targets and hopes to conclude his business by Monday.

The transfer deadline is 11pm on Wednesday but Feeney hopes to add at least two players in time for them to feature in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy match at Plymouth Argyle.

And he’ll be working to get the deals done as soon as the Exiles conclude their League Two match at Hartlepool United on Saturday.

“I’m still trying to bring in players,” said Feeney. “I think we need two to three players.

“It is tough with it being window to window now and we are still talking to a couple.

“I think you’ll probably see movement hopefully early next week.

“Obviously with the game on Tuesday I’d like to try to get them in for the game.

“Fingers crossed over the weekend we can get something done.

“We’ve put an extra ticket on the lottery and we’re praying it comes in,” he joked.

“The board have been absolutely fantastic – they haven’t said no to me yet and, fingers crossed, if we can agree on things we will have one or two in by next week.

“I want it done early. If we can get them done over the weekend they will be fit and available for Tuesday night.”

One target – believed to be ex Plymouth front man Reuben Reid – is a free agent and any deal to sign him would not need to be done by August 31.

“He’s a fantastic player, he knows the league very well and he’s a goal scorer,” said Feeney.

“He was down over the summer as well having a chat – he knew a few of the boys – but there was a lot of clubs in for him.

“When you have the luxury of that you can sit on the fence but I think he wants to get his head down now and get playing.

“He is certainly one I am speaking to but there are a few because if he goes somewhere else you’ve got to have a back-up plan.

“At the moment it’s far away – there’s nothing concrete on it.”

But Feeney has conceded defeat in his long-running attempt to get Swansea City striker Oli McBurnie back to Rodney Parade after the youngster scored twice for the Swans in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

“Oli is one that I’ve tried to bring in from the start of the season,” said the Exiles boss.

“I mentioned a while ago that they were hoping to get people in and they’ve got two [strikers] in but he started the other night and scored.

“We’ve been buzzing Alan Curtis’ phone constantly for the last five months and Curt’s been brilliant – he’s always kept us in the loop.

“But I think at the moment it will be very hard to get Oli out because he’s probably going to be pushing for starts with Swansea.

“He’s a fantastic lad and he’s still friendly with a lot of the boys but I think we’ve probably missed the boat on that one now.

“I think he deserves his chance [for Swansea]. He’s what I like – a rough and ready centre forward who never gives up.

“You know what you’re going to get out of him. He’s a good kid and he’s full of enthusiasm but the good thing is he can score goals.

“I think he’s got every chance of starting for them.”

And Feeney is hopeful that he won’t lose any of his squad next week.

“It’s fantastic that a few have left in the last few years to go onto bigger things and I think that is the benchmark that the kids have got to look at,” he said.

Asked if he was expecting interest in any of his players he added: “Hopefully not. We’re not a club that has the luxury to turn down big bids and I think there are a few who have raised a few eyebrows.

“But at this moment in time I expect all the boys to be here until the next window at least.

“I’ll be glad when the transfer window shuts!”