NEWPORT County AFC manager disputes that he’s signed six strikers this month but he has revealed the reason behind his decision to bring in extra reinforcements up front.

Westley has made 12 new additions to his squad since January 1 and half of them are forwards.

The Exiles boss has signed Aaron Williams, Craig Reid and Ryan Bird and brought in Jaanai Gordon, Florent Bojaj and Alex Samuel on loan.

And, though he classes Samuel as a winger, he explained that the new attacking recruits will be vital in the battle to beat the drop.

“At this time of year things are going to happen; you’re going to lose people through injury,” said Westley.

“Players’ legs tire and players pick up knocks and we’re going to start playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday.

“That’s going to rule people out and players that play on Saturday and Tuesday are going to need freshening up so if there’s one area of the pitch where at this time of year you need extra options it’s up top.”

Westley, who played up front for the likes of Gillingham, Barnet and Wycombe Wanderers in the late 1980s, added: “It’s hard work being a striker; it’s hard work getting the better of centre-halves.

“You take a lot of bangs and a lot bruises when you’re up there and you need a lot of freshness in that area so I’ve been very deliberate in making sure we’re strong.”

Westley has also added to his midfield options with the signing of Mitchell Rose from Mansfield Town and with first team coach Michael Flynn re-registering as a player.

And in defence he has added David Pipe, Sid Nelson, Mark O’Brien and Mickey Demetriou.

County have now gone 12 games without a win in all competitions.

But the manager feels that the new players are beginning to make a difference, pointing to the last 30 minutes of the defeat at Stevenage on January 7 and successive draws against Colchester United and Barnet.

“It’s not a miserable run,” said Westley. “I think the last 210 minutes has been very encouraging.

“There have been a lot of very positive signs from the team; the energy to defend our goal with more resilience and to go forward with more purpose has been there for everybody to see.

“What will happen with time is there will be a better understand as the players start to learn each other’s game.

“Our play with the ball will naturally become more creative as the players learn the way each other play and think.

“And there’ll be a natural flow of goals that will come through as a result of that.”

He added: “I think the additions have been exactly what they’ve said on the tin.

“You wouldn’t expect Ryan Bird to be a silky, dynamic footballer.

“You would expect him to be a big 6ft 4ins centre-forward who holds the ball up, heads it and gets in the box and scores goals.

“We saw in his 90 minutes in the reserves on Tuesday do exactly that.

“He held the ball up, he ran in behind and got in the box and put one in the back of the net.

“Everyone who has joined has joined for a reason because there’s a job that I know they can do and so far so good – they’re all fitting in very well.

“Mickey Demetriou had another good 90 minutes in the week, Mitch Rose was excellent and Ryan was excellent so there’s lads who are putting themselves strongly in contention.”