Newport County: Justin Edinburgh expects to finalise Joe Day deal

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Joe Day made his final loan appearance for County in their 3-1 win at Bury in League Two on 22 November

Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh says a club record transfer for goalkeeper Joe Day could be announced "in the next 24 to 48 hours".

Day, 24, has returned to Peterborough United after completing a 93-day emergency loan spell with County.

The Exiles have already agreed terms with Day and Edinburgh expects an announcement to be made soon.

"I don't foresee any problems. Everything is ticking along nicely," said Edinburgh.

"I still remain very, very positive and hopefully in the next 24, 48 hours we'll have some good news to announce.

"The paper work is being drawn up now and it needs a couple of signatures on that, then it will be secured."

Day could cost Newport more than the fee paid for striker Christian Jolley in 2013, which was reported to be a club record 拢20,000.

"In terms of what the club has paid previously, I think it would break that," said Edinburgh.

But Edinburgh also confirmed that a move for Day would not restrict the club financially in the January transfer window.

"We've structured a deal with Peterborough so we haven't got to pay a large amount upfront, we can structure it over the course of Joe's contract," he said.

"So it hasn't come out of the budget. There was not a lot, if anything, in the budget [anyway]."

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Former Chelsea goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley has made 65 league appearances for Newport

Edinburgh added that the deal would not necessarily mean the end of fellow goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley's time at Rodney Parade.

Pidgeley, 30, has not started since August, with Edinburgh favouring Jamie Stephens on Saturday against Carlisle.

"I had a decision to make at the weekend. Jamie had played more football of late than Lenny, I felt he looked a bit sharper in training.

"There is a place up for grabs, but if Lenny sees otherwise they are discussions that may be had over the next couple of weeks.

"We may look to shuffle the pack because there are players that may need to go out on loan to get football.

"There may be players that feel they want to move on from the club . . . but we'll assess that once the window opens."