NEWPORT County club captain Andy Sandell has expressed his regret over Chris Zebroski’s jailing; admitting the prison sentence handed out to the striker has had a negative impact on the Exiles.

Zebroski played for Newport right up until Tuesday’s defeat to Southend before being jailed for four years and four months in Swindon on Friday after appealing guilty to assault and attempted robbery charges. His contract was subsequently terminated.

And while Sandell, Zebroski’s car school friend throughout their time at the club, driving in to training together daily, believes his mate can resume his professional career, he admits his situation has upset the applecart at Rodney Parade.

"It has done [affected the players] because he was so well liked in the camp," he said.

“It’s come as a massive shock because he’s my best mate here. It feels like my right leg’s gone.

"He'll still have a good few years to get his career back on track.

“We’re all behind him. He’ll be in jail a minimum of two years. I’ll visit him every week so he’s still my friend.”

And Sandell has backed Zebroski to return to football, believing both age and physique are on his side.

He said: “He’s lucky, he’s just naturally fit so he could do nothing for two years and probably still go for a three-mile run.

“He’ll still have a good few years to get his career back on track (Zebroski is 28).

“Knowing him, he’ll keep his head down, do his time and come out all guns blazing, hopefully in a couple of years.

“Obviously we’d rather him playing. When he plays for us, he’s a danger for the opposition, so it’s taking one of our best players away from us, our player of the year last season.”