Mullins targets further additions before season opener

Despite taking encouragement from Newport County's performance against Roma, head coach Hayden Mullins admits the Exiles are still short of where they need to be. Mullins told BBC Sport Wales after his appointment that Newport needed reinforcements, and he reiterated that several signings were needed following the 4-1 defeat to the Italian giants at Rodney Parade. "I still feel like we're three or four players away from where we need to be, in squad depth and what we're going to need throughout the season," said Mullins. "It's a long, hard season, 46 games. We know that. It's a tough division. "We are definitely in the process of getting that together. We know where we want to strengthen, so hopefully in the next week or so we should see a few more bodies coming in." One area where the 47-year-old would like to add is at left-back. On Tuesday evening, an unnamed triallist was tasked with keeping the likes of Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro quiet. And after the game, Mullins confirmed that the club were weighing up a possible loan. "That's Alfie from Bournemouth," he said. "He's been with the club now for a couple of weeks. We're just having a look at whether to take him on loan or not. "I think that's one position where we need cover, or we need someone to push Tom (Davies). Alfie is one we've been looking at." County have already lost several important players this summer, including captain Matt Baker and wide men Bobby Kamwa and Michael Spellman. While they have added already in wide areas through Shaquille Gwengwe and Yahya Bamba, Mullins believes that remains an area of improvement alongside "another couple of areas too." Mullins also revealed he has not added to his backroom staff, with his focus since arriving at Rodney Parade firmly on recruitment and preparing the squad for the new League 2 campaign just over a week away. Having overseen just the one training session, but two matches, the matches are coming thick and fast as Mullin's attention now turns to Saturday's EFL Cup match away at AFC Wimbledon, Newport's first competitive fixture of the season. "I'm excited," said Mullins. "I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to the game. "I know it'll be a tough game against a good opposition. I know Johnny Jackson and how he sets his teams up. "But if we approach it with the same frame of mind and mentality as we showed against Roma, then we should be able to give them a good game." Mullins also hopes Newport can add another chapter to the club's proud cup history, which include beating sides like Leeds and Leicester City. "I think cup runs are special. This football club has got history with cup runs," he said. And Mullins will be hoping Plough Lane on Saturday can be the first chapter in another historic cup campaign for the Exiles.