NEWPORT County AFC are close to announcing their coaching team to work alongside Terry Butcher.

Despite Butcher’s appointment on April 30, the manager has not yet announced any senior coaching staff, or an assistant manager, with the Exiles having returned to pre-season training today.

New youth academy boss Grant Kalahar and chief executive Jason Turner have been announced as joining the club, who are also set to confirm a new first team physio and media manager, after Jamie Griffiths departed to rejoin Hereford.

The Argus understands the club will announce the appointment of a locally-based physio this week.

Butcher is likely to be able to confirm sooner rather than later that former England international defender Russell Osman and talent spotter/coach Steve Marsella will be his team at Rodney Parade. Osman is a former teammate and long time friend of Butcher’s and Marsella worked with him at Inverness.

Director Howard Greenhaf told Argus Sport that the backroom appointments should be announced soon along with a media manager with County having drawn up a shortlist for interview.

“We are almost back up to a full complement,” he said.

“Terry is going to be bringing in the back room people he wanted, I am not sure when he will officially announce it.”

Greenhaf also explained he will step into a role as acting chairman while talks continue between owner Les Scadding and the Newport County Supporters Trust, who have confirmed their intention to take over the club after Mr Scadding’s decision to retire.

“There would be little point in looking to appoint a chairman for what could be a very short period of time,” he said.

“I will act as chairman in the short-term because it has to be business as usual for the club in terms of how we operate.”

Greenhaf also explained that he believes Mr Scadding would prefer to relinquish control of the club back to supporters, even though there are other interested parties keen to discuss buying him out.

“I am sure Les would like to see the supporters take control or at least someone we know and feel we can trust to have the best interests of the club at heart,” he said.

“But I am not party to the discussions he’s having and know there are a couple of people interested.

“Certainly I hope a deal can be done with the Trust. It will need an awful lot of people to come together to make it work, but I hope it happens.”

Greenhaf expects the club to announce further new signings in terms of the playing squad, with boss Terry Butcher having so far signed eight new players, Scott Barrow, Rhys Taylor, Lenell John-Lewis, Alex Rodman, Danny Holmes, Nathan Ralph, Seth Nana Twumasi and Medy Elito.

“We are pressing ahead with signing more players and Terry still has plenty of talks going on with clubs, agents and managers,” he said. “The budget is reduced, but Terry still has room to sign several more players.”

The Argus understands the club have enquired about ex-Swansea defender Alan Tate to see if he’d be open to talking to the club, though they can’t offer an attractive financial package. However, Tate is expected to join Crewe Alexandra. Manager Butcher recently explained that the club couldn’t afford Tate or Wales international Danny Gabbidon, also a free agent. The club have yet to make contact with Gabbidon.

Former County striker Christian Jolley has joined newly promoted National League South outfit Margate. Jolley was released by Grimsby at the end of last season after leaving Rodney Parade in January.