NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has revealed that defender David Pipe has triggered a clause in his contract to stay at the club for next season.

Pipe, who will turn 35 in November, made his 35th appearance of the campaign in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Notts County at Rodney Parade.

And the Exiles yesterday released Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, leaving Pipe and young Swansea City loanee Tyler Reid as the main options for the right-back or right wing-back roles.

“If you’d said to me at the start of the season that David Pipe would play as many games as he has I wouldn’t have thought he would have done that,” said Flynn.

“That’s a credit to David. He pushes himself. He has bad games, as we all do, but he’s been very consistent this season.

“And he’s doing a lot of work now with Tyler as well to try to get him in good shape.

“That’s the kind of team spirit we need and it’s good for David too because he wants to go into personal training and physical development of players.

“It’s a good opportunity to showcase what he can do and impress in that way as well because it gives him a little head start on others.

“He can still play and do another role,” he added.

“He’s got another season – he’s already triggered a new contract so all the myths going around about the amount of games in contracts and people not playing is a load of rubbish, if I’m totally honest.

“If you deserve it, you get it. If you don’t, you don’t – it’s as simple as that. And David’s deserved it this season so he’s got another year.

“He’ll definitely be here unless he wants to leave. If he gets an offer somewhere that he can’t refuse then I’ll never stand in his way but I’m sure he won’t be leaving Newport.”

South Wales Argus:

Midfielder Matty Dolan is also full of praise for veteran defender Pipe, who won a single cap for Wales back in 2003.

“He’s brilliant,” said Dolan. “He’s been a credit all season, he’s been fantastic.

“He’s triggered that clause in his contract and it will be brilliant to have him here next year.

“He seems to be getting fitter – he’s getting an extra ab every time I look at him!

“Congratulations to Pipey, he’s Mr Newport and he deserves it.”