JUSTIN Edinburgh has admitted for the first time that he’s concerned County’s weather woes are threatening their bid for promotion.

The Exiles have made a terrific start to life as a Football League club after last season’s ascension from the Conference, but they are being badly hit by the miserable conditions.

Friday’s trip to Southend will be the fifth game in six Newport have faced on the road with last night’s postponement against visitors Plymouth the fourth time since December that Rodney Parade has been waterlogged.

Edinburgh is trying his best to remain philosophical but admits the weather is affecting morale in the camp.

“It’s very difficult, we can’t pretend otherwise, we can’t control the weather but it is hurting us,” he said.

“We have lost so many games and now we’re preparing for a fifth game in six away from home.

“That takes a toll, you don’t want to admit it and we haven’t until now, but it’s obvious really, we’ve lost some momentum.

“We don’t like to have to say that, but the reality is clear.”

Edinburgh opted to do some scouting last night by watching the Shrimpers, but he’s keen the club are able to find a solution to their water woes as soon as possible.

“Your home form is what sustains you in a promotion push,” he said.

“Our home record is absolutely excellent, second to none in this division in terms of our win percentage and we want to find a solution that will help us in the future (see panel).

“Unfortunately, for now all we can do is hope and pray that the weather gives us some help and we have a period where we can get these games on as soon as possible.

“If any of our fans want to do a weather dance, that’s fine with me.”

Edinburgh admits it’s felt like everything has been against the Exiles since they began their return to the Football League.

“Since day one, we’ve had a lot of difficulties with an absolutely horrendous injury list,” he commented.

“It is hard enough to have those problems with the fixture list but for the whole season, we’ve felt things were going against us.

“It’s been a really hard slog and I can’t pretend it hasn’t. There has been a lot of stress this season but I feel we are coping pretty well.

“I’ve got a resilient bunch of players and it is a good job because that’s what they’ll need to be in the coming weeks and months.”