NEWPORT County will take a look at former Wales U21 defender Byron Anthony after the former Bristol Rovers man was invited on trial with the Exiles, the Argus can reveal.

The Newport-born central defender will link-up for training with the Exiles and will likely feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Swindon Town later this month.

That contest is also being earmarked as the return date for injured Exiles goalkeeper Alan Julian, out since suffering a knee ligament injury in County’s very first pre-season friendly at Caldicot Town back in July.

Edinburgh is also forging ahead with plans to reshape his first team squad and is hoping it’ll be a case of two strikers in and two out before Tuesday’s Conference clash with Cambridge United.

As first reported in the Argus, Edinburgh is expected to loan out two from three with Jake Harris, Ryan Charles and Jefferson Louis all in contention for a temporary exit from Rodney Parade.

That will allow him to bring in two forwards with talks under way with specific targets. Those talks continued yesterday.

The Exiles have also confirmed that they have had inquiries for at least two of their players that are currently under consideration.

The Argus reported earlier this week that defender Mark Cooper had been released and yesterday Edinburgh created more room to negotiate by granting the release of midfielder and youth product Kris Fielden.

While Edinburgh was not willing to discuss on the record his planned changes in attack, he did confirm his new interest in Anthony, who played more than 150 games for Bristol Rovers and had a brief non-contract stint with Hereford United this term.

“We have invited Byron to come and train with us, we’d like to have a proper look at him and see what he has to offer,” he said.

“There is a game coming up with Swindon that we would like to pick him in, which is also the match where we hope to get Alan Julian back.”

l For more on County’s transfer plans see Saturday’s Argus sport and follow us on Twitter, @argusoncounty