Newport veteran Kevin Ellison not thinking about retirement

The veteran midfielder came off the bench to score the clinching goal on his return to Morecambe on Saturday, a 3-1 win that lifted the Exiles up to fourth in the League Two table.

County head to Port Vale this evening with Ellison hoping for a chance to repeat his winner when the teams met at Rodney Parade in November.

The Scouser was signed on a one-year deal last summer after being released by Morecambe – leading to his wild celebration after sealing the win against the Shrimps on Saturday – but he insists this is no last hurrah.

"There were people probably questioning Michael Flynn when he signed me in the summer at the age of 41," said Ellison, who has made 16 League Two appearances in amber, 15 off the bench.

"I have a laugh to myself because I picked up three points Port Vale and Morecambe was another big game.

JOY: Kevin Ellison scored the late winner for County against Port Vale

"It doesn't matter about my age. Whether I start or I'm around the squad and don't come on I'm going to give my all for this club because the manager put his faith in me.

"I'd love to be playing every week. The sports scientists keep telling me I can't but I keep telling them I can. Hopefully I can keep on making an impact when I do come on.

"We'll have to see what the gaffer has got in store for me next season, but if we go up to League One I'd tell you I can play at that level."

Ellison, who turned 42 in February, is confident that he has enough fuel in the tank to continue in the Football League.

"I put a quote on my social media last week - I do it to help me out when I'm not having my best days and I know they help other people out there – that said you are not your age, you are your energy. I think I'm about 15 on that score," said Ellison, who played for Leicester in the Premier League in 2001.

"People do mention my age quite a lot, but it is only a number. I try to look after myself as I get a bit older. I don't do it because I have to, but because I want to chase the younger lads."

Morecambe legend Ellison was denied a warm reception from the home fans last weekend and wants to have another campaign enjoying the to-and-fro with opposition supporters.

CLOSE: Kevin Ellison was denied a dramatic FA Cup winner for Newport County AFC against Brighton

"I can't finish football, me being me the pantomime villain, without playing in front of some fans again," said Ellison, so often the scourge of County.

"I'm going to find someone who will play me next year so I can play in front of fans again. I will carry on."

Ellison is also confident that he will be helping County move up into League One in an extremely tight promotion race.

"When you look at our squad, including the lads who don't play, it is unbelievable. We have just got to keep on doing what we are doing and not worry about anyone else," he said.

"People were questioning us a month or so back, people were saying the wheels had fallen off.

"It is about sticking in there, coming together and riding that wave. Every team will go through a bad patch and you have to come out of it with as many points as you can. We did that.

"People can write us off, but we know in the dressing room what we've got and that we're not going to drop off."