Michael Flynn: Signings will strengthen Newport spine

The Exiles have already played one behind-closed-doors friendly to tune up for the 2020/21 campaign, which is scheduled to start with a mouth-watering Carabao Cup tie against Swansea at Rodney Parade on September 5.

County haven’t played a competitive game since losing at Carlisle in March before the League Two season was suspended and then cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis.

They have returned to training with Flynn having an 18-strong squad, whose sessions are currently limited because the club continues to use the furlough scheme.

The Exiles were unable to offer striker Jamille Matt a contract extension because of the financial hit from the pandemic – he has since signed for League Two rivals Forest Green Rovers – and saw centre-back Mark O’Brien retire because of a heart issue.

GONE: Jamille Matt has signed for Forest Green Rovers

Replacing them is key as the manager, who was able to secure a return for Scot Bennett after the utility man was in the same position as Matt, closes in on some targets.

Flynn said: “I’ve got an idea of what I want and have spoken to the board, and I’ll try and twist their arms a little bit more!

“It’s been a little bit slower than we would have liked but there is light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully over the next few days and in the early part of next week there will be a few announced who have joined the club.

“We need to strengthen the spine of the team. We’ve lost Mark O’Brien through horrendous circumstances, someone who was a big player for us on and off the pitch, and we lost Jamille Matt, who was excellent in the two years he was here.

“They are two very good professionals and two good players in the changing room with the younger lads. There are two big gaps to fill, and there are a few other areas as well.”

All lower league clubs are being cautious as they prepare to return without matchday revenue.

Flynn is once again using his contacts to try and bring in bright prospects on loan with the aim of repeating the success of Brighton’s now £30million-rated defender Ben White (pictured below), who helped Leeds to the Premier League last season, and Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo.

CLASSY: Former County loan star Ben White

“You can bolster your squad. I am not somebody who likes to have too big a squad because it’s very hard to manage that,” said Flynn, speaking to the Argus alongside chairman Gavin Foxall.

“I want to spend a little bit more on a proven player than taking two gambles, that’s the ideal way to go.

“We’ve all got to adapt and cut our cloth accordingly but hopefully we can have a player like a Ben White or an Antoine Semenyo on their first loans.

“We’ve got to take a few blind, as in unproven, but we have done it before and hopefully we will do it again. We are obviously a club that will develop players and help them improve.”

Current County squad: Tristan Abrahams, Padraig Amond, Ade Azeez, Ashley Baker, Scot Bennett, Lewis Collins, Mickey Demetriou, Matty Dolan, Marvel Ekpiteta, Ryan Haynes, Kyle Howkins, Tom King, Joss Labadie, Daniel Leadbitter, Josh Sheehan, Nick Townsend, Corey Whitely, Robbie Willmott.

More County news from Flynn and Foxall in the coming days...