MANAGER Michael Flynn says he needs the backing of the board this month if Newport County AFC are to stay in the hunt for the League Two play-offs.

Padraig Amond put County ahead at Cheltenham Town on Saturday but they had to settle for a point after the hosts levelled at Whaddon Road.

The Exiles dropped to 11th but they are still only four points off the top-seven ahead of today’s home clash with fourth-placed Exeter City.

Flynn says two deals are already done but he wants to bring in more reinforcements in this transfer window to keep his side in the mix.

“There are a couple already done and I’m sure the club will announce them in due course,” he said.

“We’ll have a few more in for Leeds [in the FA Cup on January 7] and Joss [Labadie] will be back [from suspension] on Monday. He was a big miss.

“But I’m just hoping that I get some [more] funds to capitalise on the position that we’re in.

“I’ve had the discussions and not had many answers.

“We’ve got one of the smallest budgets and smallest squads and we’ve overachieved.

“The players have been excellent and got themselves in a great position so let’s give us the opportunity to try to do something.”

Asked if players would have to leave before more came in, the manager said: “You’d like to think you wouldn’t have to rely on that but yeah, it probably will be.

“I’m trying to pin down a couple of players we’ve already got here as well so I just hope that everybody’s thinking on my wavelength.”

South Wales Argus:

Amond was delighted to score on his return to the side with a perfectly placed header.

It was the Irishman’s first goal since October 14 and he hopes more will follow as he competes for a starting spot with fellow strikers Shawn McCouslky and Frank Nouble.

“I’ve been disappointed to be out of the team but the lads have been doing very well recently,” said Amond.

“Shawn has scored a lot of goals and Frank has been doing unbelievable work for the team.

“I’ve just had to sit and bide my time and wait for my chance to come.

“I’m not a young lad who gets frustrated not playing. Of course I want to play every week but I know it’s a good squad and we’ve got three very good strikers so one is going to have to miss out.

“Unfortunately it was me for a bit. It was Shawn earlier on this season but he took his chance and now I’ve got back in and hopefully I’ll go on a run like he did.”

He added: “I’m obviously pleased to be back in the team and scoring again but disappointed that we didn’t hang on for the three points.

“Our fans were fantastic, they never stopped for the whole game and they out-sang the Cheltenham fans.

“Hopefully we can repay them with a win on New Year’s Day.”