Newport eye signings as Jardim seeks improvements

Former Swansea City coach Nelson Jardim replaced Graham Coughlan at Rodney Parade before the start of the 2024-25 season

Head coach Nelson Jardim admits Newport County need January signings as they look to end a worrying slump in results.

And he says he is waiting on "final decisions" to give the squad a boost after a third defeat in a row.

That could include greater firepower after Jardim watched his side throw away a hatful of chances against promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat on Thursday night.

The result leaves Newport 18th in League Two, six points above the relegation places after a run of one win in 10 league games.

Jardim says he is expecting "one or two" signings to be made and is working closely with chairman Huw Jenkins.

"We have our ideas and our targets, everything is clear," Jardim said.

"It's just to now try and make the final decision."

Having overhauled the squad in the summer and introduced a glut of young players, Newport lost midfielder Bryn Morris this week - the midfielder moving to Harrogate for personal reasons - while co-captain Aaron Wildig had already been ruled out for the season through injury.

Asked whether he wanted more experience, Jardim said: "We should be looking for quality first and foremost - and then if it's a quality player with experience even better.

"Sometimes things don't happen the way we want but we have to make sure anyone we bring in has quality and can play the way we are playing.

"We have had two games where you could see we were dominant, we had more of the ball, we created chances, but obviously you accept you need to affect the final third more and sometimes that costs money, the boys who play up front and decide games for you."

Newport have extended the loan of Huddersfield Town striker Kyle Hudlin until the end of the season and also look short in midfield.

Goalkeeper Lewis Webb has been added with Jardim saying he wants a third keeper, although number one Nick Townsend should return for Sunday's home game with Morecambe (15:00 GMT) after a minor injury issue saw him miss the visit of Wimbledon.

Jardim added: "We've got to do whatever it needs, we just have to make sure that when the window finishes we have a stronger squad than we've got now.

"That's the purpose of windows, to improve the squad - but it has to be the right players with the right character."