NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney hopes to announce two or three more new signings this week.

Feeney has so far added just one player – Eastleigh central defender Jamie Turley – to his squad for the 2016/2017 season.

And he’s still waiting for answers from eight of his current players who have been offered new contracts.

But the boss is confident there will be good news for Exiles fans before the end of the week.

“I am happy with how things are progressing,” said Feeney.

“Obviously we’ve offered a couple of players contracts, players who we want to stay.

“But they will be on holiday and speaking to their agents.

“We think they are very good offers but they have got a month to answer.”

Mark Byrne, Andrew Hughes, Alex Rodman, Danny Holmes, Darren Jones, Scott Boden, John-Christophe Ayina and Medy Elito were all offered new deals on May 10.

“The problem with one-year contracts is that people will come in and pinch your better players and I think we will definitely lose a few that I wanted to keep,” he added.

“I’m hearing rumours that two of our players have already signed for other clubs but I’m not too worried – there are plenty of players out there.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll have a couple of announcements this week. We should have a couple coming in and possibly a third.

“I’m looking at quality over quantity and the two that we’re very close with will strengthen the squad and make us better.

“One of the players tore us apart one night this season and the other is a really good character.

“He has great presence and will give us that bit more experience, which is what we need.”

Feeney praised Turley’s desire to play in the Football League at Rodney Parade.

“I was delighted to get Jamie in – he’s quick and strong and he’s got good experience,” he said.

“And he’s shown great desire in wanting to come to us because everyone knows what Eastleigh can pay.

“There are four or five clubs in the Conference who can out bid clubs like us so it comes down to where you want to play your football.

“And I’m glad to get him on a two-year contract because you want that continuity and that’s something you just don’t get with one-year deals.”

On pre-season friendlies Feeney said: “It’s difficult with the work being done at Rodney Parade but we do have a couple of good friendlies in the pipeline and hopefully we should be able to confirm them before too long.”

And the Exiles boss dismissed rumours linking him with a move to Oldham Athletic to replace John Sheridan.

Feeney, who is currently second favourite for the Latics job with bookies Sky Bet, said: “I’ve got a squad to build here and I’m concentrating on Newport County at this moment in time.”