NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher is confident of signing up several targets this week but has ruled out moves for Danny Gabbidon and Alan Tate.

With less than seven days before pre-season training begins on Monday, June 29, Butcher faces another hectic week of preparations.

The Exiles boss says he is close to signing a number of players to boost the size of his squad in the coming days and is hopeful he will finally be able to officially unveil his backroom staff.

And he will also fit in moving to the region from his family home in Suffolk and interviewing candidates to fill the vacancies for an academy manager and a first team physiotherapist at Rodney Parade.

But Butcher has moved to quash rumours that he could bring veteran ex-Premier League defenders Gabbidon and Tate to the club.

Cwmbran-born Gabbidon, recently released by Cardiff City, and former Swansea City favourite Tate have both been linked with County in the past few weeks.

But Butcher admits that neither player’s wage demands would fit in with the reduced budget he is working to compared to his predecessor Justin Edinburgh this time last year.

The budget has not been affected by the resignation of multi-millionaire Les Scadding as chairman last week but Butcher says the club could not afford to sign 35-year-old Gabbidon or Tate, aged 32.

“We can’t afford those players but I’m confident that we will have more on board by Tuesday or Wednesday,” said the County manager.

“We’re looking at quality players who want to push themselves but a lot of the time other clubs are going for the same players and they’re able to offer more money.

“If that happens you have to bite the bullet sometimes and move on to other targets but we will get players in before we come back for pre-season next week.

“We will have the under-18s training with us as well and once pre-season is under way we will look to utilise the loan market too.”

Tate has not commented publically on the Exiles link but Wales international Gabbidon did appear to be open to a move.

“I’m a local lad and I’ve left Cardiff, so people have put two and two together,” said the ex-Crystal Palace centre-back last week.

“But, football is crazy. You never know what can happen, so we will see what happens with myself over the next few weeks.”

Tate enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Crewe Alexandra last season and the League One side are reported to be keen to sign the centre-back on a permanent deal following his release by the Swans.