NEWPORT County AFC captain David Pipe has vowed to fight for a future at the club, despite being told he is no longer wanted at Rodney Parade.

Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh recently announced that both Pipe and midfielder Mike Flynn would be allowed to leave at the end of the current League Two campaign.

Both players had clauses in their contracts which triggered an extra year when a certain number of appearances were reached.

But Edinburgh said recently that the pair had agreed to waive the clause so they could play through to the end of the campaign.

“It’s a very difficult situation for me. I’m a very proud person. I’m prouder than most and it has hit me hard,” said 30-year-old Pipe, who dismissed rumours of a breakdown in his relationship with Edinburgh.

“I’ve seen a lot of things in football, but it shocked me. I’m not going to lie and say I expected it. I respect the manager’s decision, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s right.

“But I would like to make it clear there has been no falling out at all. There’s been so many rumours, saying, ‘he did this’ and ‘he did that.’ “If I do leave, I want to leave in a good fashion. I don’t want people starting rumours that I’m not in the team because I’m unprofessional. I’m the most professional person you will meet both on and off the pitch.”

Pipe returned to the starting XI for County's 1-1 draw with Exeter City on Sunday and he is determined to change the manager's mind between now and the end of the season.

“I’ve used it as a positive, to try to drive myself a bit harder,” said the skipper.

“I’m still here at the moment and I’m trying my best for the club. If I get thrown in the gaffer knows I will do my very best for the team.

“I’ll keep trying to lead the way I have since the first day I got here.

“I’m a fighter. I’m not saying I can change the gaffer’s mind, but I will do my best to do so.

“If I can’t, I can’t, but it will not be through the want of trying.”