DARREN Jones will lead out Newport County AFC in today’s FA Cup clash at Luton Town but manager Justin Edinburgh sees no need to change his captain on a permanent basis.

Regular skipper Andy Sandell is suspended today after his red card at Hartlepool United last week.

But Edinburgh, who saw his side slip from 2-0 up to draw 2-2 after the dismissal, says Sandell will keep the armband for the foreseeable future.

“A lot has been made of it but he’s played over a hundred games for the club and that was his first red card,” said the Exiles boss.

“I was disappointed and he was disappointed himself but I don’t see it being an issue.

“Sending-offs happen in games, we know that, but the disappointing thing for me was the two yellows in quick succession.

“I’ve spoken to Andy about it but I don’t I don’t feel that one incident should mean he loses the armband.

“One incident cost us two points but he came on and scored the winner for us at Portsmouth and put the cross in at Dagenham that got us the win and earned us four points in those games.

“I like to look at the positives and I think he’s been a very good player for this football club and he will continue to be.”

Edinburgh is also looking at the positives from the point at Hartlepool, a result which means his side have lost just once in 13 League Two matches.

“Up until ten minutes from the end we were in cruise control winning 2-0 away from home and I thought it was a very accomplished away performance,” he said

“It was bitterly disappointing and very unlike us of late in terms of the way we let the lead slip.

“But we have to spin it into a positive and I always say if you pick up points away from home you should be pleased.

“We got over it on Monday as soon as we got in for training and got back to work and started to focus on the next game.”

Luton are in even more impressive form having won eight out of their last ten league games to surge up to second in the table.

That saw Hatters boss John Still pip Edinburgh to the manager of the month award for October but Edinburgh is confident his side will be in the hat for the second round draw on Monday.

“Luton have continued their form of last year but we’re not on a bad run ourselves,” he said.

“I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere and we’ll be backed by a good away support again and it’s a game that we relish.”