THE search for a new striker goes on for Newport County AFC after they missed out on another target yesterday.

It’s been a very quiet few weeks with nothing for County fans to get excited about apart from the publication of the fixtures for the new season.

And starting the campaign with trips to Stevenage in League Two and Southend United in the ludicrously-named Carabao Cup (other types of water buffalo are available) has hardly set pulses racing.

But Exiles supporters should be assured that Michael Flynn is working hard to add to his squad before the big kick-off on August 5.

Flynn already has 18 players signed up for the 2017-2018 campaign and there will definitely be more permanent signings in the next six weeks, as well as the usual arrivals on loan in August.

There is likely to be at least one departure too, with midfielder Mark Randall believed to be close to a move after he was placed on the transfer list last month.

But the main focus at Rodney Parade ahead of pre-season training, which starts on Thursday, is on recruitment.

Flynn told the Argus earlier this month that he wanted to add three or four more signings and reiterated that his priority is strengthening his forward line.

One man he was keen to bring back to Newport was former County striker Matt Green.

The 30-year-old front man started his career with the Exiles back in 2005 before going on to play for Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Mansfield Town, amongst others.

After leaving Mansfield for a second time in May, Green was linked with a return to Newport and Flynn was keen to sign the England C international.

But County could not match the wages on offer from rival clubs and had moved on to other targets long before it was confirmed yesterday that Green had signed for newly promoted Lincoln City.

Another former employee who County briefly considered this summer was Chris Zebroski, who left the club under a cloud two years ago.

The 6ft 1in striker was jailed for four years and four months in April 2015 for robbery and assault.

Zebroski had been banging in the goals for HMP Prescoed and, following his release this summer, he re-joined National League Eastleigh last week on a 12-month deal.

County were unlikely to have offered the 30-year-old a contract but they were prepared to let him join in pre-season training to regain his fitness.

And, who knows? If he had impressed in training and been given a chance in a friendly or two he may have earned himself a second chance with the Exiles.

Many fans will no doubt feel that his long list of alcohol-related crimes and misdemeanours make him too much of a risk.

County have signed players who have made big mistakes in their past – notably David Pipe and Adam Chapman – but Zebroski’s recurring problems are more of a worry.

He was, however, very open about his addiction when he was signed by Justin Edinburgh in 2013.

“I have had off-field problems, but I hope I am putting them behind me now,” he admitted, unprompted, when speaking to the Argus for the first time.

“I think I’ve gained as a person from that, it’s made me stronger.

“I am on a programme, I have to do things to keep on top of the situation and I’ve got a really clear head at the moment.

“I don’t want to dwell on it too much, I’ve had problems with alcohol in the past [but] I’ve got myself sorted.”

And he proved himself a decent League Two striker for 18 months or so.

Zebroski was the club’s top scorer in the 2013-2014 campaign with 13 goals and added a further seven in 2014-2015 before going off the rails.

County’s current strikers Aaron Williams and Marlon Jackson cannot match those figures in terms of goals in the Football League.

If he can keep out of trouble then Eastleigh have got themselves a player who should easily reach double figures at Conference level.

And manager Richard Hill is happy to give Zebroski a chance to prove himself once again.

“It’s alright people in glass houses throwing stones, but I like to give people second chances,” Hill told the Southern Daily Echo.

“I like people that have got something to prove and Chris has admitted he has done wrong in the past.

“He needs another chance and he’s going to get that opportunity here.

“He turned down opportunities with other clubs to come and play for us. Chris is as excited as anything to come and play for Eastleigh.

“He liked it when he was here before and he wants to play for this football club.

“Chris is a nice bloke and he’s also an athlete and he’s got an edge to him.

“He’s got this opportunity with Eastleigh and it’s up to him what he does with it.”

Hill also revealed that Zebroski will get involved in community projects, drawing on his own experiences to help people find the right path forward.

“Chris has said he’d like to do it,” he added.

“He wants to speak to younger people who are going through one or two problems in life like he’s had.”

That is to his credit and we can only wish Zebroski well as he attempts to rebuild his life and his career and hopefully help others avoid making the same mistakes that he has.