GARY Ablett has insisted he is happy with his current crop of County players after overseeing a major overhaul of his first team squad in the January transfer window.

Dire financial problems at Edgeley Park have forced Ablett to sell top-scorer Carl Baker, captain Michael Raynes and Oli Johnson while experienced left-back Michael Rose and Peter Thompson have left on loan.

Matty McNeil has also been released after failing to agree terms on a new contract.

Replacements have been found however, with Richie Partridge, Danny Swailes and Paul Huntington signing six-month contracts and David Perkins, Jemal Johnson, Jabo Ibehre, George Donnelly and Mathew Sadler joining the Hatters on loan until the end of the season.

And despite losing some key players, Ablett says he has no concerns about entering the second half of the season with the current squad.

"I’m happy with the players we have here," he said.

"The lads we’ve brought in have given everyone a massive boost.  Danny Swailes brings a lot of experience with him which is very helpful to the younger players.  Perks is a bubbly character and very energetic and Jemal and Jabo are very laid back, very cool customers.  Everyone who has come in has brought something different," added Ablett.

"It might take George and Mat a bit longer to settle in but they will, and they’ll have the same kind of impact as the rest of the new lads.  We’ve got a good group here and the atmosphere and spirit around the training ground is very positive – as positive as it can be in the circumstances."

Ablett admitted he was left hanging on until the last minute to find out if skipper Michael Raynes would leave after negotiations with Scunthorpe United dragged on right up until the 5pm transfer deadline on Monday evening.

The County boss was able to bring in a replacement in the shape of Paul Huntington – who spent two months on loan at Edgeley Park earlier in the season – after his contract at Leeds United was terminated, and Ablett, after a busy month, said he was looking forward to concentrating on matters on the field.

"We need to get start winning games," added Ablett. "I think we did enough to win against Swindon, Carlisle and Brighton but we didn’t and so we need to start capitalising on our good performances."