WHILE Wales gave us cause for concern on Sunday, it’s been a great week for Newport County AFC.

Losing Andrew Hughes is a blow but two quality additions on two-year deals and the experienced head of Newport’s Darren Jones secured for another 12 months should have eased some nerves amongst the supporters.

It’s still early days but, judging by those commenting on our website and on social media, Warren Feeney appears to have won over some of the doubters.

The Northern Irishman always said he should only be judged when he’s assembled what he considers ‘his team’ and the early signs are very positive.

Defender Jamie Turley, signed last month from ambitious and cash-rich Conference club Eastleigh, has been joined over the last seven days by former Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall and fans’ favourite Scot Bennett.

Randall, a player highly rated by Arsene Wenger, will add some much-needed quality in the middle of the park for the Exiles.

He impressed in his short spell with League Two rivals Barnet – including a goal at Rodney Parade in March – and his addition may even help persuade captain Mark Byrne, another former Barnet man, to stick around.

County fans know all about the qualities of Bennett after his successful loan stint from October to December last year, which coincided with a 10-game unbeaten run under John Sheridan.

And anyone still holding a grudge against Sheridan for the manner of his departure in January should consider the huge favour he’s done Feeney and the Exiles by agreeing to release Bennett from his contract at Notts County.

Jones is much more of a divisive figure than Bennett amongst the fan-base but he too had a great impact after his return from Forest Green Rovers in January.

With him, Turley and Bennett signed up County look as strong as anybody in the division in central defence – despite the loss of Hughes to Peterborough United yesterday.

Hughes’ decision to reject the offer of a new contract at Rodney Parade and try his luck in League One will be a disappointment to Feeney and many fans.

It marks the end of an era as the academy graduate – County’s longest serving player and the last survivor from the promotion-winning team of 2013 – finally severs his ties with the club.

The Exiles are unlucky that Hughes’ serious knee injury in December 2014 robbed them of a transfer fee and potential sell-on fee when bigger clubs were circling.

As he’s out of contract there will be no transfer fee payable by Peterborough and no repeat of the sell-on bonus that County banked from Conor Washington’s move earlier this year.

And, because he turned 24 on Sunday, there will be no compensation either – meaning the Exiles have missed out on a pay day as well as losing a valuable squad member.

But it’s hard to begrudge Hughes a chance to show what he can do at a higher level and the move away from home could be the making of him.

And the arrivals of Turley and Bennett certainly soften the blow.

Those signings give Feeney a strong base to build on and if the majority of the six remaining players he has offered contracts follow Jones’ lead and commit for next season he will be in a strong position.

There is still much work to do but the boss appears to be on the right track and by the time the fixtures are released on June 22 he may even have even the most sceptical fan full of hope for the new season.