MIDFIELDER David Pipe is expecting to stay at Newport County next season and expects to put pen to paper on a one-year contract tomorrow, the Argus can reveal.

The former Bristol Rovers man has been a revelation for the Exiles since his well-documented problems before signing, earning himself the South Wales Argus Player of the Year award.

And despite his disappointment at Saturday’s defeat, Pipe was clear in stating his intentions for next term.

“I will be staying with Newport County,” he said.

“I haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, but I’ve shaken the gaffer’s hand and to me that is as good as pen and paper, I have given him my word.

“I will be meeting him tomorrow and hopefully signing then. We’ve agreed terms and as far as I am concerned the deal is done for another year.”

Those words will be music to the ears of the County faithful and Pipe is only sorry the Exiles couldn’t win a trophy to reward their fans, admitting Wembley defeat is extremely tough to take.

“Any defeat is painful and on a massive stage like this it hurts more,” he said.

“But we can take positives from getting here in the first place and we’ll turn negatives into positives and get ready to go again next year.

“There were changes from our league team for various reasons and we had to adapt and I think we did that well.

“We didn’t exactly dominate them but I think we were the better side coming in at half-time.

“They had a good spell after the break, took their chances and we didn’t. It’s all about fine lines and that has won them the cup.

“Coming here is a massive occasion. I definitely want to come back because I’ve lost and I want to turn that around just like York have done.”

York were almost relegated from the Conference three seasons ago when they were FA Trophy final losers, but they were back the next season in the play-off final and Pipe feels County can do the same.

“I am high, I wouldn’t sign if I didn’t trust we were moving in the right direction,” he said.

“I want to get into the Football League, we can hit the ground running and be in the mix for promotion. That’s what I expect.

“Some of the boys have been at that level before and we can get there again. Our form since Christmas was improved and we are headed in the right direction.”