EXETER City are close to agreeing a new contract with manager Paul Tisdale.

The 44-year-old is the longest serving boss in the EFL, having been in charge of the Grecians since 2006 and is on a two-year rolling contract at the club which is due to expire in November 2018.

Exeter have made a strong start to the new season and are the early pace setters in League Two, with chairman Julian Tagg saying extending Tisdale’s contract at St James Park is almost finalised.

Tagg told BBC Devon: “It’s a very important thing - it’s been at the front of our minds.

“There’s a lot of work going on and we’re getting close to hopefully settling the whole business in getting back to a consistent position, so that Paul, the players and the club can continue on.

“There’s a small group of people dealing with that [Tisdale’s contract] and hopefully we’re getting close to finalising it.

“Paul’s in again next week for a board meeting to finalise those, and any number of other details, about how we go forward - not just that.”

TEENAGE Newport County goalkeeper Rhys Davies has finally completed a move to former Premier League champions Leicester City.

Davies helped the Exiles win the EFL Youth Alliance Merit League last season and initially signed for the Foxes in July on the back of a successful trial.

The move has been far from straightforward but was eventually finalised over the weekend, with Davies leaving Rodney Parade for an undisclosed fee.

A statement on Newport’s website stated: “The transfer process, which began in July, has been a lengthy and complex one due to the need for Leicester City to acquire Minor Permission from FIFA for the player who is under the age of 18 to cross international football borders.

“This was completed over the weekend and the move was finalised at the start of week which has seen the player join for an undisclosed fee, in a deal which includes a series of potential add-ons and future sell-on fees.”

MANSFIELD Town manager Steve Evans is not worried by a disappointing return from his side over the opening weeks of the season.

Despite investing heavily in the squad over the summer and tipped as being one of the favourites for promotion, the Stags have claimed just one win in seven matches in all competitions.

However, Evans – who was linked to the Swindon Town manager’s post over the summer before David Flitcroft was appointed at the County Ground – says he is not concerned by his side’s patchy form.

“You have to believe in performances and performances bring results,” Evans told BBC Nottingham.

“There will be teams higher up in the table who are playing pretty poor, but they will have a way of winning.”