NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley has already signed eight players since New Year’s Day and there could be more new arrivals before Saturday’s home clash with Colchester United.

Westley wants to add another two new signings and, after bringing in four defenders and four forwards so far, he’s now focusing on strengthening midfield.

There will also be more players leaving this month with the manager insisting he wants a smaller squad and a more settled team as the League Two basement boys battle to beat the drop.

“I think there’ll be something else happening before the weekend,” said Westley.

“We’ve given ourselves some new options but there’s still work to be done.

“There’s going to be some ins and there’s going to be some outs to follow as we reshape things and get ready for the second half of the season.

“We’ve brought in eight players – we haven’t spent a fortune doing it – and we’ve paved the way by letting some players out so we’ve brought money in.

“We’ve spent some extra money but I want a tight squad together.

“I don’t want loads of players around – I don’t think that’s healthy.

“We probably need a couple more,” he added.

“I think we’re light in midfield. We’ve got [Sean] Rigg and [Joss] Labadie out, two quality players who are sorely missed.

“We just need to make sure we’re not overloaded with lads because I don’t want too much competition.

“I want the team to be settled. I want the fans to turn up knowing what side they’re going to watch.

“I want the lads to work from game to game pretty much knowing the team that’s going to be picked because I think that if you get a settled side you end up with organisation and a team ethic.

“Of course competition is needed to keep people on their toes and you might make changes here or there but in the main the best teams you can name them.

“And I want people to know our team and what we do and get ready to be hurt by them.”

David Pipe, who returned to the club on loan from Eastleigh last week and played in last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Stevenage, can play in midfield but Westley sees the 33-year-old primarily as a defender.

“He’s a versatile lad,” said the Exiles boss. “He can use that versatility in midfield, at right wing-back, at right-back but I brought him here predominantly as a right-back.

“That’s the job he came here to do and in the second half last week I thought he did very well.”

Loan star Josh Sheehan should be fit to play tomorrow.

The Swansea City midfielder missed last week’s defeat at Stevenage with a deep gash to his ankle.

Jennison Myrie-Williams was forced off in that match after twisting his ankle and is a doubt to face the U’s.

Fellow midfielders Sean Rigg (hamstring) and Joss Labadie (knee) remain sidelined.

“It will probably be another 10 days before Riggy is back but he’s making good progress,” said Westley. “Labadie is going to be six or eight weeks.”

The Exiles boss says defender Jamie Turley is close to returning to training but the news is not so good on striker Lenell John-Lewis.

“I don’t think Lenell will be back this season,” he said. “I’m not expecting him to play games. If he does it’s a bonus.

“Turley should come back into training over the next week or 10 days and then he’s got to get fit so you’re probably looking at the middle of March before he’s available.”