NEWPORT County AFC have signed goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley until the end of the season and are set to announce a new arrival today.

Goalkeeper Pidgeley, who came to the club on non-contract terms in July, signed a permanent deal before Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade.

That result left County a point behind new Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Forest Green Rovers, and manager Justin Edinburgh is wasting no time in bolstering his squad as they look to regain top spot.

The Argus understands that the Exiles boss will unveil a new signing today, which would be the 11th new arrival at the club since the end of last season.

Edinburgh was staying tight-lipped on the identity of his latest addition but was happy to praise Pidgeley, who made a superb save to earn his side a point against the Mariners.

“He pulled off a good save and that is the reason that we’ve signed Lenny on a permanent contract,” said Edinburgh.

“He’s been outstanding since he’s come in and he showed his class at probably the only time in the game that he was called into action.

“I’m delighted that the chairman and the board have backed me again and we’ve been able to sign Lenny up.”

Pidgeley is also pleased that his future has been sorted out.

“I signed before the game and I’m glad to get that wrapped up so I can concentrate on keeping clean sheets and helping Newport for the rest of the season,” said the former Chelsea stopper.

“I came in on non-contract and you can never tell what is going to happen. Alan Julian got injured and they needed to get someone in to play, and that was ideal for me because I needed to get games and maybe set up a move elsewhere.

“But obviously Jules has had a setback and we’ve done well so it was a bit of a no-brainer when the gaffer offered me terms to the end of the season.”

Pidgeley is pleased with his form and is convinced that his new side can sustain their challenge at the top of the table.

“I didn’t have much of a pre-season so I was a million miles behind everyone else, but I think I’ve found my feet and I’ve been improving most games,” he said.

“And the team has been playing well. I thought we’d be up there this season from what I saw when I first came in and I think we deserve to be where we are.

“No team can be called lucky after 12 games and there’s no reason why we can’t keep going the way we are.”

Edinburgh was disappointed not to have got the win against fellow promotion contenders Grimsby but remains happy with the way the season has gone so far.

“Of course you want to win every game, certainly at home, but we just lacked that little bit of quality and cutting edge going forward,” he explained.

“Grimsby are a good side and a bit ahead of where we are but I think they know they’ve been in a game.

“We just weren’t quite on top of our game but the effort and the commitment was there and we are still unbeaten at home so there are positives to take,” he added.

“We’re well ahead of where we expected to be. The players are very disappointed not to win the game and that shows how far we’ve come.”