Mickey Demetriou: Talks can wait over Newport County contract

The Exiles captain celebrated his 33rd birthday on Sunday, the day after his cross went in off Bradford’s Liam Ridehalgh to earn a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade in League Two.

Demetriou is in his seventh season in Newport and remains as important as ever in defence ahead of the Tuesday night home encounter with AFC Wimbledon.

The centre-back has made 41 appearances this season and come up with last-gasp winners at Barrow and Hartlepool that have put County on the brink of safety.

Demetriou is out of contract this summer and it seems unthinkable that he won’t be offered fresh terms, but only when even closer to mathematically retaining the Exiles' Football League status.

The stalwart, who is on 289 outings and close to following Scot Bennett in becoming a triple centurion, said: “Nothing has been said and we have a job to do first, the gaffer has said that previously.

“There are a lot of players out of contract but we need to make sure the club is safe first and then start talking.

“I love it here, my family is here and we don’t see that changing at the moment. We will see what happens, there is a long way to go and we will speak when the time is right, which will hopefully be soon.”

Demetriou scored ‘the other goal’ in the Great Escape win against Notts County, been on the FA Cup runs and suffered Wembley heartbreak.

There is a feeling that the Exiles shouldn’t have been close to the relegation scrap and that they have already saved themselves, but there will be no complacency.

“It’s never finished until the last game of the season – we know that from six years ago. There are points to play for and we are going to try and finish as high as we can,” said Demetriou, who is now club captain after the January departure of Matty Dolan.

“We’ve got 11 games left and need to pick as many points as we can up as quickly as we can, then build for next season.”

The League Two standings (Image: EFL)

That will be under Graham Coughlan, who came in after the dismissal of James Rowberry when County were just two points above the drop zone.

“He is a very good manager and has done well with Joe [Dunne, assistant] and the rest of the staff,” said Demetriou.

“It was disappointing that we lost James but he came in and had a job to do, which he is doing at the moment.

“As players, we had to react because at the end of the day we were at fault for losing a manager their job because we weren’t putting in the performances.”

After having the better of Bradford in a 1-1 draw, County will hope to produce another strong display to inch up towards mid-table with victory over the Dons.