NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn is hopeful that the return of Regan Poole will not mark the end of his January transfer dealings as he aims to strengthen his squad further.

Poole became Flynn’s second loan signing of the month today, following the arrival of left-back Vashon Neufville from West Ham United.

But the Exiles boss is keen to add further recruits in defence, attack and possibly in midfield after running out of patience with certain players following last week’s stoppage-time defeat at Crewe Alexandra.

“I always put a team out to win,” said the manager, whose side are 13th in the League Two table ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Exeter City.

“They went and did it against Leicester [in the FA Cup] and then they collapsed against Crewe.

“That’s got nothing to do with tactics, it’s to do with concentration over the 95 minutes.

“It’s about consistency and that’s why players are at this level and not a higher level.

“Nobody has gone out there to make a mistake, but it’s happened too many times. And there’s only so many times you can put up with it.

“Hopefully we get some more strength in depth and I won’t have to be as patient and give people chance after chance.

“And that’s not just a reaction to last Saturday’s game,” he added.

“I’ve felt we’ve needed to improve for a while. I don’t make rash decisions on signings.

“We don’t get every one right but we’ve got the majority right and I’m looking to get a few more in.”

Club captain Andrew Crofts is likely to miss out again this weekend as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while fellow midfielder Joss Labadie (knee) is doubtful.

“Crofty will still be out,” said Flynn. “He’s nearly there but he’s been out that long now that I’m not going to rush him back. Labs is 50-50

“We have missed them. People say we’ve had no midfield and I agree, but the midfield didn’t make individual errors at Crewe, they didn’t let their man score at Stevenage and they didn’t miss chance after chance against Crawley.

“It’s easy to make excuses but the bottom line is that we let teams off the hook too easily and I don’t want that ever creeping into my teams.”

County have not won a league match since beating Northampton Town on November 27 (above) and Flynn is hoping his side can end that poor run of form as they return to Rodney Parade.

“The record we’ve had at home since I’ve been here is unbelievable,” he said.

“If you take out the Checkatrade games, when I’ve played a weakened team, I think we’ve only lost six games and we’ve played Leeds, Leicester and Spurs in that time.

“I think it’s a fantastic record but we’ve got to go out and do it at the weekend.

“Out of the next six league games, five are at home so it gives us a chance. But we have to go out there and do the business.”

And Flynn insists that next week’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Middlesbrough will not be a distraction.

“I’m not interested in Middlesbrough until 5pm on Saturday,” he added.

“Our bread and butter is the league and I want to get back on track.

“I’ll worry about Middlesbrough on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

“It’s a nice bonus but I want to win a league match, it’s as simple as that.”