MANAGER Michael Flynn is hoping Newport County AFC can enjoy a fruitful finale to a “chaotic” transfer window to get their promotion bid back on track.

The Exiles started January top of League Two but finish it seventh, albeit just five points back on leaders Cambridge with a pair of games in hand.

County are on an eight-game winless streak and desperately need to get three points when they entertain Grimsby, their last victims, on Saturday.

By then Flynn hopes to have further bolstered his squad after making seven signings so far.

“I know there are only a couple of days left of the window but I am still trying to bring people in,” he said shortly after the final whistle in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Harrogate.

“I can’t wait for this window to be finished – it’s been the worst one since I have been a manager.

“It has been non-stop phone calls, losing out on players, thinking that you have got a player and it not happening. It has been chaotic.”

County lost all of their seven loan signings from the summer window, notably Scott Twine and Brandon Cooper, while Kyle Howkins left for Solihull Moors.

South Wales Argus: ARRIVAL: County are struggling but new boy Luke Gambin has looked livelyARRIVAL: County are struggling but new boy Luke Gambin has looked lively

Flynn has signed defender Priestley Farquharson (Connah’s Quay), midfielder Jack Evans (Swansea) and striker Dom Telford (Plymouth) on permanent deals.

Midfielders Antony Hartigan (AFC Wimbledon) and Luke Gamblin (Colchester) and young forwards Jake Scrimshaw (Bournemouth) and Owen Windsor (West Brom) have arrived on loan, while defender Daniel Leadbitter has also returned from Yeovil.

Whoever Flynn has on his squad list on February 1, a response is needed if County are to remain in the hunt for the play-offs, let alone the top three.

“We've got to turn the corner quick because we don't want to be getting too far behind the other challengers at the top,” said the manager.

“It's frustrating at the moment because I know that we are so much better than we have been showing.”

Five of County’s seven February fixtures, weather-permitting, will be at Rodney Parade.

Playmaker Josh Sheehan will make a timely return from suspension against Grimsby but captain Joss Labadie is still banned and wing-back Liam Shephard will be out for the next three after a red card in Harrogate.