NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney will step up his attempts to strengthen his squad this week.

The transfer deadline is August 31 – a week on Wednesday – but he hopes to get his business done before Saturday’s trip to Hartlepool United.

Feeney has said previously that he is targeting recruits in two key positions and is focusing on the loan market but free agents like former Plymouth Argyle striker Reuben Reid could also interest him.

And at least one of his targets was at Rodney Parade on Saturday to watch the Exiles battle back to earn a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra.

“I’m definitely greedy – I want a certain player who was here today,” said the manager.

“There were a couple of them here and there are a few players I’m after.

“The board has been absolutely fantastic to me, I have to say that.

“They’ve taken a lot of criticism lately but I’ve got to say they’ve been absolutely top dollar on me.

“They haven’t said no yet so I’m sure I’ll be rapping the door down of Gavin [Foxall] on Monday morning asking for more.

“Things have got to be done but it’s a long way off,” he added.

“There’s fantastic players out there that I want to bring in.

“It is being greedy – you want to better yourself. I want competition for places.

“If the best players are out there I don’t care if you’re Luton or Portsmouth or Plymouth we want to compete with them and I want the best players at this football club.

“I’ll have to look at it and assess it and if there’s players there I need to bring in I will.”

Jordan Green and Jamie Turley were both replaced in the first half against Crewe and could be doubtful for Hartlepool.

“Turley has been struggling with his knee but I didn’t really want to change [the starting XI] because they’ve been doing really well,” explained Feeney.

On Green, who lost the ball in the build-up to Crewe’s goal and was replaced minutes later, he added: “Jordan was touch and go [before the match] with his ankle.

“He’s still only a young boy and I’ve fired him in at the deep end but I think he’s got ability.

“He was disappointed but he’s got to learn. We’re not in under-21s football.

“We’re in a man’s football now and you’ve got to be big and you’ve got to be brave.

“He’s a good kid and I’ve got a lot of time for him. I wouldn’t have signed him [if I didn’t think] he’s got ability. He can beat players and that’s all I want.

“He will learn and probably in hindsight I should have kept him on the bench and brought him on as an impact [player] but I trust him.

“I have every confidence in him and the kid will get better.”