AS IF there wasn’t enough drama with their continued battle to avoid relegation, it’s been another busy week for Newport County AFC off the pitch.

In a thousand-word statement from the Welsh Rugby Union announcing their intention to assume operational control of the Newport Gwent Dragons and purchase Rodney Parade there was not one mention of tenants Newport County.

If that was worrying enough, the dismissive attitude of WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips towards the football club in the subsequent press conference was even more alarming for the Exiles.

County, who have played their home games at Rodney Parade since 2012, have a lease to use the ground until 2023 but Phillips insisted that the WRU will “call the shots” if their takeover is confirmed.

“I haven’t talked to Newport County,” he said when asked how the deal would affect Michael Flynn’s men. “We are a Union of clubs and are putting several million pounds in.

“The professional entity that we part-fund is going to play at Rodney Parade and Newport RFC play at Rodney Parade, it’s a rugby venue and we will have to pick a conversation up with Newport County about where that leaves them.

“Clearly they have a licence to play there, I am very aware of that, it’s just not a conversation we have got to yet.

“If we had a preference it would be to put a 4G down because we want to make it a hub for rugby in Gwent.

“I guess the fact we are sinking a few million pounds in means that we’d get to call a few of the shots in terms of what happens.”

That is certainly not what County wanted to hear, and though they have so far declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Argus, the club is bound to be concerned about their future at the famous old ground.

Artificial surfaces are not currently permitted in the EFL and if County do manage to beat the drop that will put the WRU in an awkward position to say the least.

And even if they are relegated to the National League, where synthetic playing surfaces are allowed, staying on Parade would seriously compromise any potential promotion push.

It is far from certain that the takeover will get the approval of Newport RFC shareholders but the County directors will surely be urgently seeking assurances from all parties about their future at Rodney Parade and discussing their options with the EFL.

A communication from chairman Malcolm Temple last week highlighted more worries, stating that financial projections to the end of June “are causing concern” and that “actions to improve cash flow” were being put in place.

But the confirmation that the board is actively seeking outside investment will be welcomed by many fans.

In the statement Temple said: “It has been recognised for some time that with the level of support and fixed operational costs, [the involvement of private investors] is an unavoidable requirement for stability and development.”

The chairman reported on the “authorised discussions” he had held with “several enquiring potential investors.”

He added: “It was felt that the present standard community ownership model needs to evolve to a Newport model if there is to be any involvement of private money.

“This will be further discussed at the next [board] meeting with a view to consultation with Trust members if any revision of the model is considered necessary.”

South Wales Argus: Happy to be here: New County manager Dean Holdsworth

One potential investor could be former manager Dean Holdsworth (above), who recently confirmed to the Argus that he wanted to help the club before the Supporters Trust takeover from Les Scadding.

“I had two meetings with the board in 2015 and I wanted to do something with them but it didn’t happen,” said Holdsworth, who has since agreed to sell his shares in Bolton Wanderers.

That would leave him free to resurrect his interest in the Exiles and its clear that he still has emotional ties to the club he played for briefly and managed with great success from 2008 to 2011.

He added: “I’m still fond of the club and I always will be because of how hard we worked to win promotion back in 2010.”

The argument that County need more football experience helping and advising at board level is a well-worn one and Holdsworth certainly has plenty to offer.

And the appointment of Lennie Lawrence as first team management consultant will also help in that department as well as giving Flynn the best possible chance of pulling off a miracle at the bottom of League Two.