NEWPORT County boss Terry Butcher admits trialist Branimir Kostadinov is giving him a potential headache as the Exiles chase striking additions at the club.

Butcher is hopeful of announcing the signing of a striker tomorrow from a non-league club, ahead of a week that should now contain two friendlies.

The Exiles visit Bath City at Twerton Park on Tuesday before a visit to Torquay United on Saturday, the hosts confirming the contest over the weekend.

However, Bulgarian Kostadinov still doesn’t know if he has a future at Rodney Parade and Butcher admits he and fellow trialists Dave Vincent and Elliott Scotcher are giving him real food for thought.

“A striker should be the news on Monday, I am very happy to say that and we will look forward to it,” Butcher said after County’s 3-1 friendly win at Port Talbot Town.

“I know we’ve had some delays, but are looking for another signing after that as well.

“All three of the trialists are giving me food for thought, money is always the driver, but they’ve done very well.

“All three of them are good lads; they have fitted into the group very well. I don’t know if the players’ Bulgarian has improved by having Branny (Kostadinov) around.

“But we’ve got decisions to make and will have to make them and move on accordingly.”

Butcher believes he’s made a discovery in deploying Seth Nana Twumasi as a defensive midfielder and admits that with a small squad, he’s going to demand versatility from several of his charges.

“Little Nana Twumasi in the middle of the park, he’s not a natural midfield player, he’s a right back, but he’s a good user of the ball and really gets stuck in. To me, that’s his position and we’ve got a little find there. It allowed Mark Byrne, the new father, to get forward and I am very pleased with that.”

“We brought Regan Poole into the game as a holding midfield player as well, Port Talbot changed their system and we needed a bit more strength in there and Regan did very well.

“It’s a new role for him, but he’s got that ability to adapt and to adjust and do it well.

“Players have got to be multi-talented here and be able to play in different positions, because the squad is that small.”

Butcher was full of praise for County’s youngsters, with Tom Owen-Evans and Dafydd Jones on the scoresheet and Aaron Collins again catching the eye.

“These boys are the future and I thought they did very well again,” Butcher said.

“This was a good test for us, another very competitive friendly on a more difficult pitch and we are delighted to have come away with a good result and an improving performance.”