Newport County boss Peter Nicholas is keeping his options open about re-signing midfield pair Ryan Ashington and Kristian Dimond.

Nicholas does not want to tie-up all the cash in his tight budget while his two top transfer targets - Chinese World Cup star Fan Zhiyi and ex-Welsh schoolboy international Gareth Phillips - are still searching for clubs.

Both Zhiyi and Phillips - released by Cardiff City and Swansea City respectively at the end of last season - have impressed in midfield in Newport's pre-season outings and Nicholas is desperately keen to sign them.

Zhiyi's wage demands will obviously be high but Nicholas is hopeful that he can strike a deal with the defender/midfielder. Phillips' requirements, meanwhile, will be rather more modest.

However, 106-times capped ex-China skipper Zhiyi, who played again in last night's pre-season friendly at Pill, and Phillips are having one last shot at finding a Football League club before considering a move to the Exiles in the Dr Martens League.

Nicky Palmer, at relegated Welsh Premier League Llanelli last term, has also impressed Nicholas and his assistant Glyn Jones in County's pre-season preparations .

Dimond and Ashington are still weighing up their options. Former Cardiff City playmaker Dimond, 20, is talking to other clubs and Welsh Premier League runners-up TNS are believed to be in the frame.

Ashington is still considering his future while away on holiday. The 20-year-old made a great impression at County after being released from Torquay United last Christmas - but he missed the back-end of the season, suffering from glandular fever.

* Newport County beat Gwent County League outfit Pill 2-0 in a pre-season friendly last night. Triallist striker Kristian Hanbury, at Llanwern last season, scored his third goal in as many outings and is most certainly catching Nicholas' eye. Another triallist Zhang Jia Ping netted the second and defender Jeff Eckhardt had a goal disallowed for offside.

* Newport County's youth team play Premiership new boys Portsmouth's youth side tonight at 5pm. The pre-season friendly will be at the Whiteheads sports complex in Bassaleg.