NEWPORT County AFC goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley is ready to return to the starting XI at AFC Wimbledon on Good Friday and ready to commit his future to the club.

The Exiles’ number one has not played since sustaining ankle ligament damage in the 0-0 draw at Southend United on January 31.

But he made the bench for Saturday’s much-needed 2-0 victory over struggling Wycombe Wanderers and could feature from the start against the Dons.

That win more or less ensured that County will remain in League Two for a second season but Pidgeley says there is still a lot to play for with around 13 players, including him, out of contract this summer.

“Every time you put on the shirt you’ve got to do the best you can, not just in a match but in training as well,” he said.

“Even in the games at the end of the season, when there might be nothing to play for, you’ve got to go out and do yourself justice.”

Pidgeley has been a big hit with the County fans since arriving in South Wales in July 2012 following a short spell at Exeter City.

The former Chelsea stopper played a big part in the promotion from the Conference last season and the excellent start to life in the Football League before Christmas.

And Pidgeley revealed that he has already held preliminary talks with manager Justin Edinburgh about staying at Rodney Parade beyond this campaign.

“I’ve had discussions with the gaffer but it’s at a very early stage and I don’t think anything will get settled until the end of the season,” said the 30-year-old.

“At this stage in my career I needed to play games and that was the main reason for coming here.

“At 29 or 30 I should have played a lot more games than I had so I dropped down to the Conference with Newport and I’ve played around 70 games in the last two seasons.

“I could have played more but for this injury but I’m happy with the number of games I’ve played and we’ve done pretty well.

“I’m happy here. My family are settled here so I’m not in any hurry to go elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, County have announced that they will hold a Fan’s Forum night in the Bisley Suite at Rodney Parade on Thursday, April 24, at 6.30pm.

All supporters are invited to the free event, which will be attended by Edinburgh, director Howard Greenhaf and chief executive Dave Boddy.