NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has hit back at comments from former County and Wales star Mark Aizlewood about striker Christian Doidge.

Aizlewood, now manager of Carmarthen Town, told the Argus back in August that the Exiles would live to regret not signing Newport-born Doidge from the Welsh Premier League outfit.

The 22-year-old had a trial at his local club in the summer but eventually signed for League Two rivals Dagenham & Redbridge.

Before that deal was concluded Aizlewood said: “If County allow Christian to go to Dagenham it will be the biggest mistake they’ve made since they failed to secure a sell-on fee when John Aldridge left."

Doidge made his first league start for the Daggers last Saturday and could face his hometown club when Edinburgh’s men visit the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham this weekend.

But the Exiles boss is not concerned that his decision to pass on the youngster will come back to haunt him and he is less than happy with Aizlewood’s comments on the matter.

“He was never an option for us,” said Edinburgh. “But I’ve been told by the Carmarthen manager in the paper that it would be the biggest mistake we’ve made since we didn’t have a sell-on for John Aldridge. I beg to differ.

“I don’t know his (Aizlewood’s) name and I don’t remember coming across him when I played in the Premiership or when I’ve managed.

“He’s talking about a top quality international like John Aldridge and I’m not bringing the boy into it, I’m talking about the manager’s comments.

“I don’t think he (Aizlewood) has played at the level I’ve played at. He certainly hasn’t managed at the same level so it’s probably best to keep those kind of comments to himself.”

Aizlewood, who did play in the top division for Luton Town and Charlton Athletic and won 39 caps for Wales, is adamant that Doidge can go far.

“I’ve played in the top division and international football but this lad is the best I’ve seen in the air at any level,” he told the Argus in August.

But Edinburgh says the strikers he has at Rodney Parade are better.

“I’ve seen the boy play twice this year and I think he could have a future in the game but whether or not he’s going to come back and bite me on the backside like I’ve been told time will tell,” he added.

“We had him in the door and he had a good attitude and certain things about his game were good.

“He had things to learn but at the time I felt the players we had were better equipped and I stand by that.”

In response to Edinburgh, Aizlewood told BBC Radio Wales: "I suggest he gets his facts right. Remind him how many caps I won for Wales."