GRAHAM Westley confirmed that there will be more arrivals and departures at Newport County AFC in the next fortnight as he looks to build on Saturday’s encouraging draw with promotion-chasing Colchester United.

Josh Sheehan’s opener was cancelled out by a penalty conceded by Darren Jones before the break but the point ended a run of eight successive League Two defeats for County.

They remain bottom of the table and are now six points from safety after fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town beat Accrington Stanley but Westley believes it was a step in the right direction for his new-look side.

“We’ve been stuck in a rut,” said the Exiles boss. “We’ve been at the bottom of a hole and it’s been horrible.

“Everything we’ve tried to do to try to claw our way out hasn’t got us there.

“But we’ve signed some new lads and they’ve made a good start.

“Colchester were flying high and came here full of confidence but we’ve stopped them in their tracks and got ourselves up and running.

“I don’t think there’s going to be easy points given up by Newport going forward,” he added.

“I think there’s going to be points won by Newport doing the things you have to do to win football matches.”

Westley, who sprang a surprise by naming coach Michael Flynn on the bench on Saturday, has already signed nine new players this month - including striker Florent Bojaj (below).

South Wales Argus:

He still wants to strengthen in midfield, however, and he remains hopeful that Sheehan’s loan from Swansea City will be extended beyond next Saturday’s trip to Barnet.

“I’m still expecting to be active in the market,” he said.

“We need to strengthen – I just need one or two more experienced ingredients.

“It speaks for itself; I’ve strengthened the back line and the front line, obviously the midfield is going to be next.”

On possible departures he said: “You don’t want too many players around the place.

“Sometimes it’s not the individual player that you need to push out, it’s just the culture that you need to change.

“My experience of these situations when you’re locked at the bottom of the league [is that] you’re there for a reason, the ingredients are wrong.

“You need to get some out, get some in and then you can shake it up and get a winning formula together.

“I’ve done it before, my plan is to do it again here now and we’re up and running.

“We’ve stopped the losing streak and that’s always an important psychological point.”

On Sheehan, he added: “I’m hoping and expecting Josh to stay here.

“We’ve spoken to Swansea, it hasn’t been finalised but we’ve spoken to the player and the player’s agent and everything is in place.

“He’s enjoying his time here and I think all parties, without anything being signed, are of the same mind-set.

“There’s just one or two details that need ironing out.”