NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has praised striker Christian Jolley for playing through the pain barrier after it was announced that the striker will finally have an operation tomorrow.

The 25-year-old has been struggling with a groin injury and has played on to help cover the absence of last year's top scorer Aaron O'Connor, who is also out with a groin problem.

Jolley will miss tomorrow's trip to Exeter City and is expected to be out until the middle of October.

"Christian has his operation on Saturday morning so he'll be out for about 14 to 21 days," said Edinburgh, who was talking at Cardiff University's Sport Fields on the day the club announced a new two-year agreement to continue to train at the Llanrumney venue.

"Christian has helped us out by putting his body through it and probably making his injury worse but we've got through it and he's getting the operation he needs now."

Edinburgh says the form of young striker Conor Washington will ease the pain of losing Jolley as well as O'Connor and fellow injury victims Max Porter, Byron Anthony and Andy Sandell.

"Conor's performances are not to be underestimated," said the Exiles boss.

"The rise that he's made in such a short space of time has been remarkable. He's been outstanding so that makes it easier to lose Christian's services.

"You mustn't underestimate the start and the performances we've had considering the players we're missing," he added.

"I think it would be very hard for many teams to have coped with the amount of players we've been missing.

"We will be a force once we get everyone back. We will only get stronger."

Edinburgh admits that he has a decision to make in defence following Tom Naylor's two own goals in last week's defeat to Morecambe.

Experienced centre-backs Ismail Yakubu and Tony James are fit and ready to come in if needed.

"Any decision I make will be difficult with the squad we have," said Edinburgh.

"If I have to leave someone out it will be difficult but there is certainly some thinking for me to do."

Meanwhile, County players will support a nationwide anti-homophobia campaign launched this weekend by gay rights campaigners Stonewall urging players to wear rainbow boot laces.

To mark the new deal to train at Llanrumney the Exiles will take on the students of Cardiff University in a friendly match at the training ground on Tuesday at 10.30am.