NEWPORT County AFC chairman Les Scadding says he couldn’t stand in the way of manager Justin Edinburgh if a big club came in for him.

The Exiles are preparing for life in League Two after May’s Conference play-off final win over Wrexham at Wembley and Scadding is hopeful that Edinburgh will be around for a long time yet.

The chairman is confident of another successful season at Rodney Parade but he admits that it will be difficult to keep hold of the Exiles boss if the team continues to rise through the divisions.

“I’m in very confident mood and I’m going to put my head on the block and say I can see us getting into the play-offs again this season,” said Scadding, ahead of tomorrow’s final pre-season friendly against the Aston Villa under-21 side.

“Providing we keep injuries to a minimum we can build on the momentum that we are carrying forward from the fantastic end to last season.

“When you’ve got a manager like we have you are confident going into every season,” he added.

“Any manager can manage but he has a way about him that motivates people, young and old, and gets the most out of them. He’s the best manager I’ve ever seen and if a big club did come in for Justin I wouldn’t stand in his way or try to stop him.

“You can’t do that if he’s got a chance to better himself at a high level.

“I’d wish him all the luck in the world, as long as he sends us a few players!”

Euromillions lottery winner Scadding will have his eye on the numbers coming through the gates at Rodney Parade this season and he has appealed to the fans to back the team to even greater success.

“All the players are excited about what the new season holds and they can’t wait to play in front of our home fans at Rodney Parade again tomorrow against Aston Villa,” he said.

“And the Accrington Stanley game next Saturday is going to be a huge occasion and I just hope that the people of Newport realise how big a day that is for the club and come and fill up Rodney Parade.”