COUNTY v READING (Tonight, KO 7.30, Spytty Park)

NEWPORT County will tonight honour their longest-standing employee as Champ-ionship side Reading make the trip to South Wales for the Exiles’ return to Spytty Park.

The testimonial for legendary kit man Tony Gilbert pays tribute to his longevity, having worked for the club for 38-years.

Gilbert is synonymous with the club, as much as any of their great players or managers, according to current director of football (and former Newport goalkeeper and manager) Tim Harris.

The 63-year old left County at the back end of last season after finding his duties increasingly difficult to fulfil with the Exiles now a full-time outfit.

However, his final season was a fitting one with New-port promoted to League Two for the first time in 25-years.

“We are looking forward to honouring Tony and showing him how important he is to this football club,” Harris said.

“I have known Tony for more than 16 years and he has been a tremendous servant to this club and his dedication has been faultless, he is certainly a character that every club can relate to.

“He’s part of the furniture and Newport County through and through, he’s as much a part of our story as any player or manager.”

Gilbert also served as a groundsman, physio and even caretaker manager over five different decades, working with 27 different managers in that time, from Justin Edinburgh to the legendary Len Ashurst.

“Since the club has gone full-time people don’t understand the work involved behind the scenes and I’m not getting any younger. I have had some great times over the years and have some amazing memories,” Gilbert told the Argus when he retired.

“The best being at Wembley (FA Trophy Final) last year and the worst having my £4.50 cheque being bounced when the club went bust,” he laughed, “I still have the cheque pinned on the wall next to the washing machine.

“County is in my blood and it will be nice to watch the games from a different angle and support the club from the terraces."

County’s director of football Tim Harris paid tribute to Gilbert and explained plans are already in place to appoint a successor.

The Exiles do have a few bumps and bruises tonight with Reading expected to field a fringe side.

Defender Tony James was withdrawn at Havant on Saturday with tightness in his hamstring and fellow defender Harry Worley also has a slight strain.

Striker Aaron O’Connor is set for surgery on his groin this week and Christian Jolley sat out the contest on Saturday with slight muscle stiffness, though he was at Havant and travelled with the squad.

Young striker Ryan Doble may be given a chance to shine as he seeks a deal for next season, O’Connor’s injury troubles increasing the likelihood of that outcome.

l The club have also released a statement with regard to Sunday’s clash with Premier League outfit Aston Villa.

“Further to concerns raised by Exiles fans directly to the club about the kind of side that Aston Villa would be fielding in the friendly at Rodney Parade on Sunday, we have contacted Villa for clarification.

“Whilst you can never be certain in pre-season, due to changes of plans, schedules, fitness and the progress of players, what sort of side any team will field, Villa have confirmed that the squad they bring will contain a presence of Premiership experience.”

l The Argus understands that Newport will announce the appointment of a new full-time secretary tomorrow. The position was advertised over the summer.