CRAIG McAllister expects to have his future sorted within a week, with all signs pointing towards the exit door, the Argus can reveal.

The former Conference winner with Crawley Town is just half way through a two-year deal with the Exiles but serious interest in the player has emerged with Conference South contenders Eastleigh hoping to sign the striker.

Despite public declarations that he believes in second chances, the Argus understands County manager Justin Edinburgh’s preference is for McAllister to leave to free up funds for new arrivals having allowed the player out on loan last term. County have given McAllister permission to talk with a club, but they wouldn’t confirm whether or not it is Eastleigh.

However, McAllister’s full-time deal, signed under then manager Anthony Hudson, could be too much of a financial stretch for the south coast outfit, leaving an impasse McAllister is hopeful of sorting sooner rather than later.

“Discussions between myself and Newport are ongoing,” McAllister told the Argus.

“I signed a two-year deal and ideally I would like to stay and help the club push for promotion, which is what I wanted last season, but things didn’t work out.

“This week I will continue talking with Newport about a solution to the situation.

“I am open minded about things but ultimately I think it’s fair to say my future prospects at Newport don’t look too great to be honest.

“Eastleigh are a club I know well, but at the moment I can’t really comment on what will come next until I hear what Newport have to say.”

McAllister is a Hampshire lad having grown up in Southampton and began his career with Eastleigh a decade ago.

The Hampshire outfit have recently had a cash injection and have already recruited several players for next term.

“We will be talking with Craig this week and will try and sort this situation out,” County’s director of football Tim Harris said.

“We have seen the story about him (in Monday’s Non League Paper) but at the moment he is our player.”