WARREN Feeney has explained why he didn’t add to his squad on transfer deadline day and the reasons behind the release of veteran defender Matt Taylor.

The Newport County AFC manager did sign seven players in January – five on loan and two free agents.

But, despite the club banking £400,000 from a sell-on fee for former player Conor Washington, Feeney was not able to spend any of it before the transfer window closed on Monday night.

“The board has been great, they’ve fully supported me,” said the Exiles boss.

“I don’t think we’re in a position to bid and buy players.

“But if I can add to the squad at the right price and with the right player I think the board will back me 100 per cent on it.

“I’ve said from day one that I’m always looking for better players.

“People get carried away with the window shutting because the loan window opens next week.

“There was one or two I was hopeful of getting before the window so there could be stuff happening," he explained.

“We're speaking to potential loan players and those who may be unattached.”

Feeney said Taylor’s departure will free up some more money in the budget.

“We wish Matty all the best,” he said. “You’ve got to be playing football and, through no fault of his own, he’s not one that I was going to play.

“I thought it would be better for him to move on.

“Fair play to Matty, he wanted to go out and play, and it was a decent bit of business for the club to save a bit of money.

“It frees money up for players you can maybe get in.”

Midfielder Yan Klukowski should be fit to face Barnet on Saturday but the game might come too soon for defender Matt Partridge.

Centre-back Janoi Donacien and striker Lenell John-Lewis are both still sidelined with hamstring problems.

But goalkeeper Joe Day is back from suspension and Feeney admits it will be tough to choose between his regular number one and loan stopper Mitchell Beeney.

“It’s a choice I’ve got to make,” he said. “Mitch has done well and Joe has been chomping at the bit.

“It’s one where I’ll sit down with my staff and look at but I have every confidence in whoever I put out on that pitch to win the football match.”