Michael Flynn: Newport close to three new signings

The Exiles lost their League Two top spot to Carlisle on Saturday afternoon when their fixture against Southend at Rodney Parade was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

That denied manager Michael Flynn the chance to field influential midfielder Scott Twine for the last time before his return to Swindon Town while three other summer loan signings have gone back to their parent clubs.

Bristol City pair Saikou Janneh and Bradley Webb were meant to be in Newport until the end of the season but the lively forward is injured and the defender was limited to EFL Trophy outings.

Former Wales Under-21s full-back Aaron Lewis was with the club until January 2 but has gone back to Lincoln City. 

The form of Liam Shephard and Ryan Haynes meant he made just one appearance, at Leyton Orient, and he was also hindered by the limit of five loanees in a matchday squad.

The deal for attacking midfielder Jamie Devitt from Blackpool was initially until January 2 but the Irishman is likely to have a longer stay in Newport, especially after the departure of Twine.

The 21-year-old was a huge hit in amber with seven goals – three of them stunning efforts – in 24 appearances.

INFLUENTIAL: Scott Twine has gone back to Swindon from Newport

“Scott was excellent, a breath of fresh air,” said Flynn. “He is a great lad and a very good player.

“I am glad we have been part of his development because I do think that he will go on to play at a higher level.

“It’s always a risk that a player can be called back.
"It’s frustrating because he has fitted in so well here, but he’s not our player and I’m glad we’ve got out of him what we have.”

County have waved goodbye to four loan signings so far – striker Jamie Proctor signed from Rotherham until mid-January but his future is yet to be decided – and Flynn has been putting the finishing touches to a number of deals.

“I’ve almost got three in already and there will be a few more comings and goings as well,” he said.

“Bradley Webb, Saikou Janneh, Scott Twine and Aaron Lewis have gone back, so we’ve got some manoeuvring to do so that we can strengthen the squad.”

The hope is that the new recruits will have as big an impact in what will be a manic fixture list for the Exiles.

They host Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday and are back in League Two action when Salford visit on January 16, the first of 26 fixtures in 16 weeks to the final day trip to Southend on May 8.

“We’ve got a busy schedule but the last time that we had that we almost went up, so I am not getting to disheartened by that,” said Flynn.

“I am just glad that it was two home games that were postponed and that we have been managing to get away games out of the way.”