NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney has already met with potential new signings for next season and he’s warned any players who want to leave the club that ‘the grass is not always greener’ elsewhere.

County confirmed their League Two status with a 1-1 draw at Luton Town last weekend and head into Saturday’s final home game of the season against Notts County with little to play for.

And that means Feeney has started the planning process for next season – with player recruitment at the forefront of his mind.

“The planning has started off the field,” said the Exiles boss. “I’ve had a meeting with the board and they’ve given me their full backing to do what we want to do off the park, which is exciting.

“I’ve met a couple of players already for next year because I think you’ve got to get that head start.

“Footballers nowadays want to know their future before they go on holiday.

“You’ve got agents telling players to hold fire but once they come back [from holiday] you might only have one option.

“I know what it’s like as a player and I’d advise players to get their future sorted when the season finishes.

“We’ve already started looking at the players who will become available out there.

“I think that’s very important where we are,” he added.

“You’ve got Pompey, Oxford, Bristol Rovers and Plymouth in the league who will attract players.

“Agents will be putting players into them first because of the club’s name so we’ve got get that head start and go looking ourselves.”

Feeney says he has not yet spoken to his players about contracts for next season.

“I haven’t told anyone yet and we will wait until the season is finished,” he explained.

“I think that’s only fair on the players. They have a chance in the next two games and a few have surprised me so it’s still all to play for.”

Midfielder Mark Byrne has been linked with a move to League One Gillingham and a reunion with former manager Justin Edinburgh.

But Feeney says any player thinking of moving on has to think carefully about the first team opportunities they may get elsewhere.

“There will be interest in some of our players,” he said. “Byrney has played every minute of every game so you know what you’re going to get out of him.

“You want to keep the core of the players. I don’t think you can get rid of 14 or 15 players because you’ll be starting again.

“You want to add to the core you’ve got and bring in quality players.

“That’s what I want to do but there is going to be interest in players.

“That’s what happens to clubs like us with one-year contracts.

“At the end of the day you just hope they’ve enjoyed it here and whoever decides to stay I want to build around them.

“Bigger clubs can wave the big chequebooks at players and agents have a big part to play but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

"You don't want to go to these clubs where there's loads of players who can play in the team.

"If you can just have a little bit of competition with players around and playing week in, week out, that's what I always wanted to do as a footballer."

Feeney says he wants his side to be competitive next season, even though they will not have one of the division’s bigger budgets.

“You shouldn’t be happy to just stay in this league,” he said.

“Accrington Stanley are the benchmark. I’m not saying we’re going to do that but we want to be competitive and that’s what we’re aiming for. I want to have a right good go next year.

“It’s not going to be one of the top budgets – it never will be.

“I hope it’s bigger than last year – the board haven’t given me a top figure.

“But if you get the right players in you will be competitive and that’s what I’ll look at.

“You probably want that little bit more quality than quantity but you’ve got to spend it wisely.

“Obviously where the budget was before it got sliced and it has been difficult but I’ll never use that as an excuse.

“I want players who are going to work hard. I think a good changing room is very important and we will be competitive.”