NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney says there was no contact from any clubs wanting to sign captain Mark Byrne on transfer deadline day.

It has been reported that League One promotion hopefuls Gillingham, managed by former Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh, were interested in Byrne.

But Feeney says there were no bids before the transfer window closed at 11pm last night and he’s delighted that his skipper is staying to help the club’s fight against relegation from League Two.

Asked about the Byrne rumours on BBC Radio Wales, Feeney said: “I can categorically say that that’s not true because I know Justin well and I’ve had no contact whatsoever from Gillingham or anyone else regarding Mark Byrne.

“Listen, it’s always flattering if there’s interest out there but I can categorically say that’s not true.

“I know Justin very well; I’m on my Pro Licence [coaching course] with him and we still speak together but Byrney is a big part of my plans.

“It’s a catch-22 situation,” he added. “We’ve got a little bit of money and the board has been fully supportive of me.

“But, no matter what bid comes in for a player, I need my best players here to stay in this league.

“And, for the sake of some money, it’s worth more to the club to try to get over the line [and stay up].”

Irish midfielder Byrne, signed by Edinburgh after being released by Barnet in the summer of 2014, is out of contract at Rodney Parade at the end of this season.

And Feeney admits that he may be powerless to stop his star player from being reunited with Edinburgh at the Gills in the summer.

“At the end of the day you can’t stop players at the end of the season,” he said.

“What’s more important is keeping my best players here and looking at the bigger picture, and that’s staying in this league.

“You want to keep your best players but when you’re offering them one-year contracts and they’re doing well they can go and speak to anyone [at the end of the season].”

Former favourites Aaron O’Connor and Danny Rose signed permanent deadline day deals at League Two rivals Stevenage and Northampton Town respectively.

But the only activity at County was the release of veteran defender Matt Taylor.

And Feeney says the transfer window is less important in the lower leagues than it is for the Premier League giants.

“I think a lot of people get carried away by it,” added the Exiles boss.

“It’s fair enough in the big leagues when they’ve got money and they can go and buy.

“But in our league it only shuts for a week and then the loan window opens so there’s players still available.

“I can understand it in the big leagues but in ours it doesn’t really matter to be honest.”