NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Coughlan says Tuesday is D-day as he starts to shape his squad for next season.

The Exiles boss admitted before the finale against Crewe, which ended 2-2 at Rodney Parade, that it would be a final game for some key figures after the club had been unable to match offers.

Captain Mickey Demetriou spent more than an hour after the final whistle signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after his 300th appearance for the club.

The stalwart is one of those whose contract is expiring along with Priestley Farquharson, Cameron Norman, Aaron Lewis, Scot Bennett, James Waite and Nick Townsend.

“I have meetings with the players on Tuesday, I will sit down with all of them face to face, man to man and have those conversations,” said Coughlan.

“I would guess that a lot of it will become public on Tuesday afternoon or evening.”

South Wales Argus: Mickey Demetriou defending for County against CreweMickey Demetriou defending for County against Crewe (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The County boss, assistant manager Joe Dunne and head of football operations Chris Finn have already been beavering away to add to their ranks next season.

“We have been proactive and can’t get into June and July, bidding against other clubs,” admitted Coughlan, whose budget will be dwarfed by the majority of clubs.

“We are what we are, we offer what we offer and if people want to take it then great, if not then we move on.

“We do have plenty of options and I am constantly meeting players – I’ve got two on Wednesday and two on Thursday. Hopefully we can get one or two through the door.

“There will be quite a few clubs that will spend and we will have to do things differently.

“I won’t be able to turn over many. One or two will go and one or two will come in but I don’t expect wholesale changes.”

County should have finished the season with a 2-1 win against Crewe after Omar Bogle scored his second goal in added time.

However, they switched off and allowed Lachlan Brook to lash in an immediate leveller, meaning the Exiles finished 15th rather than 12th.

“We weren’t great,” said Coughlan. “We looked a little bit flat and it was a typical end of season performance.

“The manner that we are conceding goals is not nice and I will need to change things [over the summer] to cut all that out.

“We’ve worked hard with people and the same mistakes are happening too often, so that needs sorting out.

“It was a real disappointment but that has been there all season. I know what needs fixing and it’s my job to get it done.”