Newport County: Exiles in Will Evans contract talks as Graham Coughlan eyes more progress
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Graham Coughlan was appointed as Newport County boss in October 2022
Newport County are in discussions over a new deal for top scorer Will Evans, who says he is happy at Rodney Parade.
The League Two club turned down offers in January for the forward who has hit 22 goals this season.
Manager Graham Coughlan says he has held contract talks with several in his squad after losing key players last summer.
"Me and the manager have a really good relationship," said 26-year-old striker Evans.
"It's something we're dealing with in-house and hopefully we can get something sorted.
"I'm happy here. It's something I don't really put my focus towards with 15 games to go and a lot of points to win so my focus is on finishing the season on a high."
Evans signed a two-year deal when he joined from Bala Town in June 2022, although both the club and the player have an option to extend.
Chairman Huw Jenkins revealed the club had turned down written offers for the former Wales C international, who hit the headlines with a goal in the club's FA Cup tie with Manchester United.
It comes after Coughlan said the club hope to learn from previous "mistakes" after losing key players such as Aaron Lewis, Priestley Farquharson, Mickey Demetriou and Cameron Norman last summer.
But following Huw Jenkins' takeover of the club, Coughlan feels Newport are better placed to build for the future.
"I would like a couple more options," he said.
"I would like to be able to move one or two things around.
"[Squad depth] would be a nice luxury, we don't have that. We don't have the biggest of squads plus injuries have curtailed our numbers this season.
"Recruitment is key. We were hampered last season when we lost four lads, that really set us back.
"Going forward, we want to learn from our mistakes, hence the reason why I have sat down with more than one or two, trying to pin them down for next season.
"We've learned a harsh lesson this season regarding squad size and depth and I hope we don't have to go through that again.
"With the ownership and the buzz that's going around the club at this time, I think people can see genuine progress and a better product on the pitch.
"The feel good factor is slowly returning to the club."
Newport's seven-game unbeaten League Two run was ended by Notts County on Tuesday night.
They will seek to return to winning ways when they host Gillingham at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon.
Centre-back Ryan Delaney and midfielder Aaron Wildig will both be assessed ahead of the visit of the Gills.
"They're a really strong team with a lot of nous in this division," Coughlan said of Gillingham.
"They've had a turbulent time over the past 18 months, but this might be their time.
"It's another big game for us and an opportunity for us to put a marker down and show people we can compete with these play-off teams."