Jardim pledges help to injured skipper

Former Cardiff City player Aaron Wildig joined Newport County from Morecambe in 2022

Head coach Nelson Jardim has said Newport County will do all they can to nurse their stricken co-captain Aaron Wildig back to full health.

Jardim was "devastated" after Newport confirmed Wildig will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Wildig, 32, will soon have surgery also knowing his Newport contract expires at the end of this season.

According to Jardim, Wildig was feeling "a little bit down" but the Newport boss said: "Now it's up to us to help him.

"It's not good at his age to have that injury. He was sad and it's up to us to make him feel comfortable and positive moving forward."

Jardim said the contract situation would obviously play on the thoughts of the former Cardiff City player as he contemplates the long road back to recovery.

"I am sure those things go through his mind. But again it's down to us now to make him feel comfortable and positive looking forward and getting him back as fit as possible.

"He also has at least three years at a good level of football, we just have to make sure when he comes back he comes back fit."

Jardim added: "We are known for being a club like that. We try to look after our players, that is the maximum I can say.

"From my end, from my perspective I will do my best to make sure he feels part of it. Even though Aaron knows he's going to have surgery now, I am sure we will see him as soon as possible in the dressing room, watching the games and he will be part of everything."

Jardim's immediate concern will be filling the gaping hole left by the loss of his most experienced player and a midfielder who is currently joint top scorer with four goals.

Newport, currently 15th in League Two, face a difficult task away to sixth placed Notts County on Saturday.

Though Wildig's loss is the latest injury woe for Jardim, he cites the absence of his skipper as an opportunity for someone else.

"I feel like we have other young boys who can step up and are capable of doing a good job for us and obviously this will be their time to show their value."