NEWPORT County chairman Les Scadding has vowed to back Justin Edinburgh in the January transfer market and insists criticism of the board for not signing Christian Jolley is wide of the mark.

The Euro Millions winner was at Newport’s press conference yesterday to unveil new chief executive Dave Boddy and made it clear that he isn’t yet ready to get into the habit of saying no.

“Tim and Justin will no doubt knock on my door, it is that time of year,” he said.

“They will want new players in and it is there to be done, I have told Justin I’ll help in any way I can, that’s been my message to him since I was made chairman.

“If a player is good enough and we can afford to buy him and there’s a belief from the manager it’s a realistic option, we’ll do all we can.”

However, Scadding and fellow director Howard Greenhaf have been confused at accusations of the club ‘lacking ambition’ after pulling out of the race to sign winger Jolley.

It is understood County bid £15,000 with add-ons for the AFC Wimbledon winger, who is out of contract at the end of the season, but the Dons want closer to £30,000 – a price Edinburgh is not prepared to pay.

“The manager asks us for the funds and where at all possible, we back him,” Scadding said.

“But it can’t just be a situation with a blank cheque book, Justin knows the scene and knows what represents value and we listen to his judgement, not the other way round.”

Edinburgh also confirmed: “We made what we felt was a fair offer for the boy but I can’t in all good conscience go any higher than that for a player nearly out of contract.

“It’s my decision.”

However, the club are being active in seeking improvements to the current first team squad.

“We are working as hard and making as many phonecalls as during the summer,” director of football Tim Harris explained.

“It’s not always an ideal time to do business but we know what we think we need and which players could strengthen us.

“Now it’s a case of being patient and doing all we can to get them.”