NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh is relishing a return to Roots Hall tonight.

The 44-year-old made 47 appearances for Southend United at the start of his own playing career.

And he is excited to be heading back to his former side as manager of the Welshmen who are currently eighth in the League Two table.

“I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming to the game and I’m looking forward to going back and seeing some old faces,” said ex Billericay Town chief Edinburgh.

“I had a fantastic time there and I’m very grateful to the club for giving the opportunity to fulfil a magnificent career.”

Edinburgh guided Newport to promotion from the National Conference last season and is enjoying a fine first campaign with the club in the Football League.

His side have been hit by four postponed home fixtures in recent weeks but he hopes to be able to take on the Shrimpers tonight, even though he is expecting a difficult encounter.

“Southend are scoring goals and they’ve got a lot of good strikers so we’ve certainly got to be a bit more resolute at the back and cut out individual errors,” said Edinburgh.

“They’re playing well but we beat them at home earlier on in the season and we take confidence from that and hopefully we can go and rediscover the habit of winning football matches.

“It’s going to be a tough test but we’re confident we can get a result.”

Newport will again be without strikers Chris Zebroski (knee), Aaron O’Connor (groin) and Danny Crowe (hamstring) while they will also be missing Conor Washington who sealed a switch to Peterborough United earlier this week.

However, Shaun Jeffers moved in the other direction as part of the deal and is in line to make his debut against the Shrimpers.

Newport also have midfielder Adam Chapman back from suspension while former Blues youngster Max Porter could also be in the squad.