NEWPORT County AFC are preparing for life next season and have a shortlist of managerial candidates and have also begun offering contracts to their playing staff, the Argus understands.

Club officials were yesterday remaining tight-lipped on plans for the future, opting not to discuss their plans for the summer with the club still technically in the hunt for the League Two play-offs.

However, those hopes are hanging by a thread following a run of four losses on the spin and with just two games remaining this term, County look likely to spend a third season in League Two following their return to the Football League.

The Exiles made clear that Justin Edinburgh’s former assistant Jimmy Dack is in charge until the end of the season and neither Dack nor the club’s directors are currently willing to state whether he is in consideration to be manager next term.

The Argus understands, however, that he did discuss his future with the Exiles hierarchy last week and told them of his decision.

Dack is set to reveal his decision next week, with the focus until then strictly on Saturday’s trip to York City.

The Exiles invited applications to succeed Edinburgh before appointing Dack and it is understood they are now opening dialogue with those they consider the strongest candidates.

The Argus also understands that the club have offered professional contracts to three academy stars, as well as 16-year-old Regan Poole.

Director Howard Greenhaf told the Argus last month that they had offered a contract to Poole, who has now made 10 senior appearances for the club and attracted interest from Manchester United and Fulham.

“We turned down £30,000 from Fulham in January and we were advised by the agent in the deal that we couldn’t possibly do better,” said Greenhaf on March 20.

“And last week we turned down a deal for double that figure. Regan has been offered a professional contract here and we are talking with his parents.

“But it is our hope we will have three or four academy graduates in our first team squad next season, including Regan.”

As well as Poole, County have also offered deals to Aaron Collins, Tom Owen-Evans and Kieran Parselle.

Poole and Collins played against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday, when Owen-Evans was an unused substitute, and all four could be in the squad at Bootham Crescent this weekend.

Collins also started for Wales under-19s in Germany tonight and will be back in time for training on Friday.

None of the quartet has signed a pro contract yet but Dack has already stated that he will give youth a chance at York and hinted that, with a reduced budget, the youngsters will play an important part next season whether he is at the club or not.