MANAGER Michael Flynn has targeted 10 wins as he combines plotting Newport County AFC's promotion push with starting to shape his squad for next season.

The Exiles were meant to be in action in Port Vale this afternoon in League Two but an early decision was made to postpone the fixture.

Fifth-placed County had been hoping to get their promotion challenge back on track after a shock midweek loss to Southend United

A nightmare run of form has seen them slide down the table after leading the way at the start of January but they are still in a strong position.

Newport are one point off the automatic promotion spots and just five behind leaders Cambridge with two games in hand.

With all clubs struggling to string together consistent runs and hindered by manic fixture lists, Flynn has set his squad a goal.

"We've got 20 games, 11 home and nine away, the challenge is to win half of them," said the manager, whose side have taken just seven points from the last 30.

"The squad are all behind each other and look out for each other. We have had a bad run after loan players went back to their clubs, there have been postponements, red cards, individual errors.

"A lot of things have happened at once but as soon as we cut out the mistakes and stop giving red cards away we can keep our strongest team on the pitch, and they are a match for anybody in the league."

South Wales Argus: THRIVING: David Longe-King has made an impressive start to life in the Football LeagueTHRIVING: David Longe-King has made an impressive start to life in the Football League

Flynn is also assessing who will be part of his team in 2021/22, hopefully in League One.

The boss is yet to discuss with the County board the implications of any potential salary cap rules, which was scrapped earlier this week after being challenged by the PFA.

"That will affect certain areas but I am trying to identify players," said Flynn. "In terms of retention, I've told them to go out and win a few games and they might be rewarded!

"But they are a good bunch who are concentrating on the job at hand. There is always the right time to sit down and speak to them, we just have to identify when that is."

A number of influential players are out of contract in the summer with the likes of Josh Sheehan and Liam Shephard likely to be in demand.

David Longe-King was given a one-year deal to show that he could step up to the Football League from St Albans City and has looked a promising prospect since coming into the side after the departure of loanee Brandon Cooper.

When asked about the centre-back by the Argus, Flynn replied: "Are you his agent? You like him, don't you! Don't worry I am on it!"