NEWPORT County AFC are playing the waiting game with seven key men including captain Mickey Demetriou after making contract offers.

The Exiles have issued their retained and released list but question marks remain over the futures of skipper Demetriou, Priestley Farquharson, Cameron Norman, James Clarke, Aaron Lewis, Scot Bennett and Nick Townsend.

Manager Graham Coughlan admitted before the League Two finale against Crewe Alexandra that it would be a Rodney Parade farewell for some figures after the club had been unable to match offers from elsewhere.

Nonetheless, deals are on the table for the key men to consider with the hope of a different ending to last summer when Dom Telford and Courtney Baker-Richardson left for League Two rivals.

Demetriou, 33, made his 300th appearance for the club against Crewe and will mull over an offer along with fellow stalwart Bennett, 32.

"Well that’s a wrap on season 22/23," Tweeted Bennett at the weekend. "A lot of ups and downs but finished strong in the end.

"Thank you for all your support through the year, time to rest up and see what is what."

South Wales Argus: INFLUENTIAL: County's Aaron Lewis after the final game of last seasonINFLUENTIAL: County's Aaron Lewis after the final game of last season (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Farquharson, Norman and Lewis are likely to have offers from other clubs after some eye-catching performances while Townsend ended the campaign as a starter after a duel with Joe Day.

James Clarke is on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury after being an influential figure under Coughlan, who was previously his boss at Bristol Rovers.

County could do with his experience, especially if other defenders are tempted away.

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

County have confirmed that seven players have left with the exits of stalwarts Matty Dolan and Robbie Willmott expected after they went out on loan in January.

Former captain Dolan joined Hartlepool and the defender/midfielder’s move will turn permanent this summer despite their relegation to the National League.

Forward Lewis Collins, who went to Torquay on loan in January, is also released along with the young quartet of Evan Ovendale, Joe Woodiwiss, Lewys Twamley and Jack Karadogan.

The Exiles have 12 players confirmed on the books for next season, with midfielder James Waite one of them after initially joining on an 18-month contract in January 2022.

Goalkeeper Joe Day, defenders Declan Drysdale and Harrison Bright, left-back/forward Will Evans, midfielders Harry Charsley, Sam Bowen, Aaron Wildig, Waite and Josh Edwards plus forwards Omar Bogle, Kiban Rai and Offrande Zanzala.

Zanzala is set to be out until the winter after rupturing knee ligaments while Edwards, formerly of Swansea, is yet to make a senior appearance. 

County will once again look to tap into the loan market next season after Stoke's Matt Baker, Bournemouth's Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Liverpool's Adam Lewis, Manchester United's Charlie McNeill and Middlebrough's Calum Kavanagh went back.

"We wish all players departing the club the very best with their careers moving forward and thank them for being a part of our club," read a County statement.