NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has signed a new two-year deal and appealed for the fans to get behind the club at the start of an exciting new era.

Edinburgh has committed his future at the end of a traumatic week that saw the resignation of chairman Chris Blight.

Edinburgh paid tribute to Blight and interim chairman David Hando and called for the club to be united at their new home of Rodney Parade.

“Chris is the best chairman I have worked for,” said the Exiles boss.

“He’s been a credit to this football club but I think he’d lost that spark in his voice when I spoke to him on Monday. And I think we need to look forward now at our new home. David Hando is the perfect person to come in and everyone needs to get behind us now.

“Chris, Tim and Howard (Greenhaf) have put a lot of hard work in and we need the backing of the fans.

“I was taken aback by the number of fans we took to Wembley and that shows the massive potential at this club,” he added.

“The hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I saw the football markings at Rodney Parade and I’d like to think we will get a lot of fans supporting us here.”

A key factor in Edinburgh agreeing a new contract to remain in the Exiles hotseat was the fact that he will have the funds to bring in more players over the next few weeks.

Edinburgh and director of football Tim Harris have been in contact with a number of targets this week.

Young goalkeeper Joe Perry is expected to come in as back-up for injured number one Alan Julian. A striker is close to signing this weekend and talks are at an advanced stage with a central midfielder.

“We’ve got the new ground and I’ve got to put the product on the pitch to attract the fans now,” said Edinburgh. “I’m confident I can do that with the players we’ve got here and a couple more additions we will hopefully secure over the next few days.

“There is no reason now why we can’t be looking up instead of down.”

Trialist Kerry Morgan is no longer in the running for a contract but Sam Gwynne is likely to get another chance to impress against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, ex-County favourite Craig Reid looks set to be reunited with manager Dean Holdsworth at Aldershot Town while goalkeeper Glyn Thompson has signed for Worcester City.