NEWPORT County boss Warren Feeney plans to bide his time over the decision of who will skipper the Exiles in the coming campaign.

A new man will be leading the side out when Mansfield visit Rodney Parade on Saturday, August 6 for the League Two opener after the summer departure of Mark Byrne to Gillingham.

No player wore a captain's armband in the pre-season opener at Caldicot last weekend and Feeney doesn't intend to rush a decision with Darren Jones, Scot Bennett, Jamie Turley, Mark Randall and Ben Tozer among the more seasoned members of his new-look squad.

"I've got experienced players and will shift the captaincy around (in pre-season)," he said. "It's the least of my worries at the moment and I expect there will be 11 captains whoever crosses that white line."

The former Northern Ireland striker has signed 11 players this summer and is still beavering away to add to his squad with priority on adding his forward options.

The Exiles struggled in front of goal last season with top goal scorer Scott Boden, who has signed for Inverness, netting 15 times and Lenell John-Lewis, who suffered with injury, and Alex Rodman, who has moved to Notts County, next with five strikes.

Feeney wants to sign a dangerman up top but he also wants the rest of his new side to chip in, as winger Jack Compton did at Caldicot with a tremendous last-gasp free-kick to salvage a 2-2 draw.

"We need to get more goals from other parts of the pitch and at Yeovil last year Jack put a great ball in that caused a penalty, he has got that quality," said Feeney.

"The kid has got an abundance of ability, an abundance of pace and I'll get the best out of him, I've got no doubt about that whatsoever."

Feeney is pleased with his recruitment so far and feels that his new charges have already shown glimpses of what they will add as the Exiles look to steer clear of another relegation battle.

"We've got a lot more pace this season than last," said the manager. "Jennison Myrie-Williams and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb looked sharp down the right in the first half (against Caldicot), so did Jack Compton and Dan Butler.

"Joss Labadie in the middle has a bit more steel, which we lacked, and we've brought in quality players. Now it's the process of getting them together."