Newport County's Kyle Jameson on seeing red versus Port Vale

The defender will be a key figure when the Exiles attempt to get back to winning ways at Harrogate in League Two on Saturday afternoon.

County, whose performance in Monday’s 3-1 defeat at Bradford contained plenty of positives, have made an encouraging start to the season after a summer of change.

However, they have also been leaky at the back with boss Nelson Jardim's inability to field a settled defence a key contributing factor.

Jameson and Ciaran Brennan were guilty parties last month when they both had moments of madness at 4-1 down against Port Vale to be sent off.

Brennan had already been dismissed for a scuffle when his fellow defender booted a loose ball into the away section and received a second yellow card.

OFF: County defender Kyle Jameson trudges from the field after being sent off against Port Vale (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“There was no malice, it was just a rush of blood to the head. It won't be happening again,” said Jameson, who tried to track down the Vale fan to pass on his apologies without luck.

“It was a frustrating day and we could have done better when we had 11 men on the pitch, even when we were down to 10.

“We ironed it out after the game, I held my hands up and apologised to the rest of the team.”

After being a costly absentee in the 4-0 humiliation at Swindon, Jameson came straight back into the team and has played in 10 of 13 fixtures in all competitions this season.

The left-footer will be influential in Harrogate as the Exiles chase a second League Two clean sheet of the season.

“There is still positivity in the camp after Bradford, we were just disappointed with the goals that we conceded,” said Jameson.

“They were avoidable and little mistakes killed us. There are ways to fix it and I am sure we will do that, because we are a new team.

“We all know how each other plays in the defence now so it doesn’t matter what the back four is, we can play together and be solid.

“There is competition pushing us each day in training and fighting for starting spots is driving us on.”

With James Clarke back from injury and Matt Baker to return from Wales Under-21s duty, Jardim will soon have some welcome selection headaches at the back.

ATTACKING: County's Kyle Jameson has the ability to drive out of defence with the ball (Image: Lewis Mitchell/Huw Evans Agency)

Jameson’s left peg provides him with a point of difference, as does his comfort on the ball in the head coach’s desired new style.

“I enjoy it, and always have growing up,” said the former Oldham and Tranmere man. “You get the persona of a ball-playing centre-back and I feel that is me.

“The new style does suit me and all the lads have bought into it. It’s good to play out from the back but sometimes it does need to go, and we are getting that balance of when to kick long.”

County are yet to draw this season and Jameson is confident that will remain the case in Yorkshire even if they are successful in keeping the 0 next to Harrogate’s name.

“You gain confidence from clean sheets and the more we can get the better, because we know that we are able to score goals,” he said.