NEWPORT’S Tony Pulis has backed his hometown team to thrive in League Two this season and beyond.

The former Stoke City boss, who played for Newport County between 1984 and 1986, is a big fan of Exiles manager Justin Edinburgh.

And he believes that his old club can safeguard their newly-regained Football League status this season before moving onwards and upwards over the coming years.

“I actually signed Justin from Tottenham when I was manager of Portsmouth,” said Pulis, who left the Potters at the end of last season.

“He’s a good lad and he’s very ambitious. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s done so well.

“It’s been a fantastic start [for County] but I think people have got to be a little bit careful and not get carried away,” he told BBC Radio Wales.

“I think they’ll have a good season and I think a good season for them is if they can finish mid-table.

“Anything above mid-table and he [Edinburgh] has swum The Channel.

“There’s time to build maybe next year but this year just put the foundations down and make sure they stay up and they are nice and solid now because they’re well set up.”