Newport closing in on much-needed signings - Michael Flynn

The promotion-chasing Exiles have endured a frustrating transfer window in which all seven of their summer loanees have returned to their parent clubs.

County have been hit especially hard by the loss of influential Swansea defender Brandon Cooper and Swindon attacking midfielder Scott Twine.

Flynn’s side have not won in League Two since December 8 but remain in a strong position, second in the table with a pair of games in hand on leaders Cambridge.

Nonetheless, a poor end to this transfer window would hit their bid for League One with Flynn aware of fears that their hard work could be derailed by a lack of numbers.

“I agree and that’s why I have been working tirelessly to try and bring in the right players with a bit of quality,” said the manager.

“We have lost the link between the midfield and the strikers with Scott Twine going and with the way that Brandon stepped in with the ball, we have lost a bit of that link from the defence to the midfield. Although David Longe-King has done very well, it’s not flowing as well.”

Flynn has signed midfielder Jack Evans from Swansea and brought in young loan forwards Jake Scrimshaw and Owen Windsor from Bournemouth and West Brom.

More new boys are set to bolster his squad in a bid to keep competition for places strong.

“I will hopefully have a couple in on Wednesday, then hopefully a couple more towards the end of the week. I am working non-stop to try and bring them in,” he said after the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.

Asked whether a Twine-like signing is his priority, Flynn said: “It will be getting the right striker in.”

County head to Oldham Athletic on Saturday before hosting promotion rivals Carlisle on Tuesday.

They have taken just four points from their last six fixtures, although five of those games have been against sides that are also in the promotion mix.

The Exiles shared the spoils in Gloucestershire on Tuesday after goalkeeper Tom King’s freak opener was cancelled out by Matty Blair just before the half-time whistle.

“I am happy with a point because Cheltenham were a lot better than us in the first half but we finished the game well,” said Flynn.

“We finished strongly and it’s a tough place to come, so I will take a point. We were fortunate with the goal and it was definitely against the run of play.

“I won’t try and sugar coat it – they were better than us in the first half. The goal was a terrible one to give away, it was too easy.

“It wasn’t good enough in the first half but I was more than happy with the second half.

“Salford last Saturday and Cheltenham, they are two strong teams, but we’ve got 40 points and are second in the table with two games in hand.”