NEWPORT County’s players have been distracted by the speculation linking manager Justin Edinburgh with the vacant role at Gillingham, the boss admits.

The Exiles have slumped to back-to-back defeats on the road since speculation began linking Edinburgh with Priestfield Stadium, hammered at both Cambridge and Northampton, 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.

This week has been more positive for County fans with Edinburgh confirming to the Argus that he’s close to signing a new contract as well as signing a striker. The Exiles have also agreed a deal with Fulham that will see Regan Poole return from Craven Cottage on loan until the end of the season, once his transfer to London is finalised.

However, Edinburgh, who spoke at length with the press on Wednesday morning, didn’t try and pretend the recent speculation hasn’t unsettled his group.

“Truthfully, of course the speculation will have affected the players, there is no doubt,” Edinburgh explained.

“A lot of them have been here since more or less the day I walked through the door. Probably 95% of those players have contracts up at the end of the season and as a manager, I can’t use it as an excuse and there is not a chance of me taking my eye off the ball. It doesn’t affect me and it won’t.

“But the players’ is a different situation, I can see if from their perspective, I’ve been a player and it will be (an issue) for them, they are human and have feelings and emotions and concerns.

“They’ve got a very good job, a fantastic profession, but they still have concerns, financial, length of contracts, families to look after and of course it has an effect. Perhaps I didn’t think it would as much as it has... But we have seen a real steely determination in them this week.”

The Exiles will be at virtually full strength for the first time this season for the visit of high-flying Shrewsbury.

Wingback Robbie Willmott is likely to be on the bench after coming through a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday and Aaron O’Connor is recovered from the flu bug that has been going around the squad.

Only defender Andrew Hughes (cruciate ligament) is sidelined and he went for his first check-up this week as he bids to return in time for next season.

The Exiles now face a race against time to sign their striker target – believed to be Swindon’s Miles Storey – in time for him to play at the weekend.