NEWPORT County AFC striker Rene Howe has played his last game for the club.

The former Peterborough, Torquay and Burton striker has featured 15 times for the Exiles this term, but has failed to find the net despite a bright pre-season.

Howe appeared just once for County in the past month, a ten minute cameo against Cheltenham Town that was his last action in an amber jersey.

With County hopeful of adding two loan signings to aid their promotion push, it is understood a deal to release Howe was completed today, for compassionate reasons.

Howe, who scored three goals in 15 appearances for County last term, spoke publically last month about his wife facing a battle with serious illness.

It is understood that their situation is still ongoing and with the Exiles struggling for goals in attack, the release of Howe appears to suit all parties.

The Exiles confirmed the news, revealed exclusively by Argus Sport yesterday, in a statement on their website that read: "Newport County AFC can confirm that striker Rene Howe has left the club by mutual consent due to personal reasons.

"Rene joined the club in January 2014 and has made 30 appearances for County in his time with the club. 

"The club would like to place on record our thanks to Rene for his service and wish Rene all the best for the future."

Speaking of his difficult situation, Howe explained to the Argus that football has had to be secondary in his life in recent times.

“A lot of people don’t know that my wife is actually really ill in hospital at the minute,” Howe told us last month.

“That’s not any excuse and I obviously give 110 per cent to the team but I’ve had the injury, which laid me off for four or five months and then my wife’s been ill.

“We do have lives outside football and playing is a release.

“We’re privileged to be in this sport and everyone is giving 110 per cent.”

Howe thanked new manager Jimmy Dack and former boss Justin Edinburgh for their support as well as staff members like Lisa Savage, who have helped look after his young son Josh.

“Juggling everything is tough,” he said. “But Dacky has been very supportive and he told me not to come in for recovery on Monday because my wife had another operation.

“That’s a big bonus because I’ve never been in this situation before and sometimes I do need to be with her.

“He’s been great with me and so was the gaffer before because it’s been going on for a couple of months. They’ve been a massive support.

“Everyone around the club has been helping out. Lisa has looked after Josh and I’d like to say a massive thanks to her.”

“I’m positive and we just need to get through it but it does put football into perspective.”

The Exiles are looking to bring in two loanees, understood to be a striker and a defender but are thought to be open to offers for some of their fringe players, in terms of allowing them temporary departures from Rodney Parade. County would likely allow either Shaun Jeffers or Joe Parker to depart and if there is suitable interest in the pair, both could leave Newport.

Boss Jimmy Dack has made clear his desire to strengthen his ranks before the Football League loan deadline, which is this Thursday, March 26.

“There are one or two in the pipeline and hopefully we’ll have some news soon,” he told Argus Sport.

“I don’t want to go into these important games coming up and not be able to play players to a system I want to play.

“I don’t want to leave myself short so if we can bring in one or two we will.

“The club are very supportive of that and we’re all working hard behind the scenes to make sure it happens.”