THE sun has finally made an appearance in Newport after taking a long-term leave of absence and in midweek it certainly felt like the gloom had lifted for me as well.

As I commented last time, it’s been a difficult period for me, adjusting to the knowledge that I’m unlikely to be a Newport County player next season.

However, as I hope I’ve expressed as best I can, this is my club, the club I love and as long as I am here, I am desperate to be a part of things.

The Argus was spot-on when they reported that both David Pipe and I voluntarily agreed to have the clauses in our contracts removed about an automatic extension for next season.

For me that was a no-brainer. I understand the position of the club and I certainly didn’t want a clause on a contract to stop me playing my part for the remainder of this season.

The gaffer made it very clear that as long as we show the right attitude then he wants every player available and I was absolutely thrilled to get back out on the field in midweek.

It might have only been as a substitute but it was a start and I am keen to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way.

As far as I am concerned, there is no controversy or animosity whatsoever in regard to my situation.

I haven’t had any falling out with the gaffer and even though I don’t agree with the decision he’s made, there won’t be anything developing in terms of ill-feeling.

I was really pleased he gave me a chance in midweek and as long as I am here, I will always be as professional as possible.

Newport County don’t pay me to agree with every decision the manager makes, they pay me to do my job and get on with things and that’s exactly what I shall do.

Will I try and prove the gaffer wrong? Absolutely.

He will be fair with everyone and if I get a chance and play out of my skin then he would be the first one to come and tell me how well I’d done.

I am not the manager and I respect our gaffer and back his judgements. But I also believe in my own abilities and I am keen to prove him wrong and benefit the club at the same time.

It’ll be an early start for us today as we head to Mansfield by I’ve got to be honest and say that by the time you get to my stage in your career, I do prefer an early start to an overnight stay. I’ve done more than my fair share of stays in hotels across the country and really, I’d rather be at home.

It’s a big test for us today at Mansfield and hopefully we can replicate the two excellent results we enjoyed against them last season when we both came up from the Conference.

It’s strange to see Mansfield five points behind us and down in 20th position having played more games, because obviously last season they had a phenomenal run to the Conference title that we could only applaud them for.

I suppose it really does show the momentum you can get from a play-off success and it has certainly shown with us.

We’ve been above Mansfield all season and we know that if we can get that win today that has been eluding us, it will really re-establish us as a contender for a play-off spot.

It won’t be easy, that’s certain, but we do believe we have the quality in this group.

It’s all about how you view things. We drew with a very good side in midweek and we feel like if things had gone differently, literally a bobble here or there and we’d have won that game.

The four draws we’ve had in this bad run might end up being vital come the end of the season, but there is no doubting we need three points as soon as possible.

Finally, I have to comment on Gareth Bale’s wonder goal and amazing performance for Wales in midweek against Iceland.

For me he’s now getting to that truly elite level where it’s not unrealistic to expect that sort of performance from him week in and week out.

He’s playing for maybe the best club in the world, the biggest club and he’s performing at a level of Ronaldo and Messi and he’s going to get even better.

That’s fantastic for Wales and the confidence they should take into the qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 will be greater than any in recent memory.