NEWPORT County AFC captain David Pipe believes he’s done enough to keep his place in the starting XI for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Portsmouth.

Illness and the impressive form of Ryan Jackson at right wing-back have kept the Exiles skipper out of the team, apart from substitute appearances, since last month’s defeat at Rochdale.

But he was recalled for the first time in a month for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Braintree Town in the FA Cup and can’t wait to take on Pompey.

If selected this evening it would be the first time Pipe has led the side out at Rodney Parade since the 2-1 win over Torquay United on September 28.

“It’s been frustrating for me but I’ve got broad shoulders and I can take most things that are thrown at me,” said the former Wales international, who celebrated his 30th birthday last week.

“I think my attitude has been spot on, which the gaffer has come out and said, and anything I’m asked to do as a player and as a captain I’ll do it. I think I’ve proved that.”

After Portsmouth in the JPT southern section quarter-final County host Hartlepool United in League Two on Friday night before the replay against Braintree next Tuesday.

“Bring it on,” said Pipe. “The more games the better as far as I’m concerned.

“I can’t wait to play at home again and hopefully, whoever is selected, we’ll do the job.”

Pipe admits that the first half display at Cressing Road on Saturday was below par but praised his side’s character after a spirited fightback earned the replay.

“It was a poor first half all round,” he said. “We were all waiting for each other to make decisions both on and off the ball.

“But we reacted very well. I’m proud of the way the boys reacted and bar a few miracle clearances off the line we would have won the game comfortably in the second half.

“The first half was a negative and we can learn from that but overall, even if you perform badly for parts of a game, if you come back like we did it’s a positive.

“They capitalized on our poor showing in the first half and we dominated after the break so bring on the replay. I’m looking forward to it,” he added.

“We all said a few things at half-time. We wanted to turn it round and we did. You could see each and every one of us performed much better and that’s what you get if you have mental strength.

“It was a great cup tie but we do need to be better from the start.”