NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh insists it is business as usual at Rodney Parade despite the speculation linking him with the vacant managerial role at Gillingham.

The Exiles travel to Northampton Town this weekend and Edinburgh, who expects to confirm the release of striker Christian Jolley within 24 hours, is focused only on the clash ahead.

Edinburgh remains the 11/10 favourite for the Priestfield post but has promised Newport fans he remains focused entirely on County.

“There is no change, it’s exactly the same, if there was anything to give an update on we would,” he said of the speculation.

“The performance on Saturday was nothing to do with the speculation, I’m employed by the football club and my mind and focus haven’t changed.

“I haven’t ruled myself out as there is nothing to rule out, the club have had no contact and neither have I, so as far as I am concerned there is nothing to talk about apart from our next game against Northampton.

“Everyone knows what I’m building here, there is a lot of building still to be done and where we’ve come in three years is phenomenal and I take great pride.

“I’m not silly enough to say I’ll be at Newport forever, but I remain focused and there is no question to answer, there is speculation and purely that.”

Edinburgh confirmed the Exiles will reach an agreement with Jolley to see him depart, with the circumstances similar to the exit of Danny Crow.

The Exiles are looking to partially pay Jolley’s deal and for him to then join one of four interested sides – believed to include Grimsby and Welsh rivals Wrexham and two other Conference clubs – as a free agent.

“Christian is close, we are in advanced negotiations to come to a settlement on his contract and allow him to be a free agent and move to another club,” he said.

“Myself and Christian have had conversations that I will keep to myself on where he’s going to go or what he’s going to do, but I know he’s talking to four or five clubs.

“It’s a similar situation to that of Danny Crow, he played a big part in our success here and was our record signing and a very big part of the promotion year.

“But football is a strange old thing, he had a minor groin operation and didn’t re-find the level of performance we’ve come to expect, which is a shame.

“But football moves on and if and when it is concluded, we send Christian off with best wishes, he was a great pro and key performer for us.”