LEE Minshull has utterly dismissed any suggestions that the Rodney Parade pitch is still an issue, shockingly describing it as “one of the best I’ve ever played on.”

In what will be a huge boost to all the ground staff at Rodney Parade, arguably the most put upon team in the country thanks to the situation that sees the Exiles sharing the pitch with not one but two rugby teams, Minshull insists that his teammates are thrilled by the quality of the playing surface.

Work was undertaken this summer to complete an updated irrigation system after the extremely wet winter last season that wreaked havoc with Newport’s fixture schedule and it has been given a ringing endorsement from the County boys who played some free flowing football on Monday evening against Cambridge United in a 1-1 draw.

“We’ve always wanted to get the ball down and play and now we can, it is a number of factors and there is no denying that the pitch was a problem last season but it isn’t now.

“It is one of the best I’ve played on, it really is that good, there is no excuse at all, we are all really enjoying playing on it.”

Minshull paid tribute to his two midfielder partners Mark Byrne and Adam Chapman who really caught the eye on Monday for their range of passing.

And the former Wimbledon man believes his teammates can help him get back among the goals sooner rather than later.

“I’m enjoying playing with both of them, they are getting on the ball and imposing themselves with their range of passing and are bringing our wing backs into the game a lot more,” he said.

“That allows me to get forward and try and support the front men and all I am missing is a goal at the minute.

“I had one cleared off the line on Monday and a great save against me, I thought my header was in, but the goalkeeper made a great save.

“I thought it might be my night, but it wasn’t to be, but I think hopefully I’m getting closer to that goal.”

Minshull, who like the rest of the Exiles squad is now based in South Wales, admitted he found the NATO Summit to be a giant pain in the backside, but not for the reasons you might think.

“There was no disruption to our training or travelling or everyday lives, but the break from the football I really didn’t like,” he said.

“I’m the kind of player who doesn’t even really like it when we don’t have a midweek game, I like playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, so to go to a completely free week after the good win at Portsmouth was a bit difficult, we’d have preferred games in quick succession.”