NEWPORT County AFC captain Andrew Crofts has revealed that his injury problems since signing for the club started with a simple blister during pre-season training.

The 34-year-old Wales international has been restricted to just three appearances for County since his summer arrival.

Crofts started the opening League Two matches at Mansfield Town and at home to Crewe Alexandra but he has not featured since the Carabao Cup defeat to Oxford United on August 28.

Talking to former Wales and Norwich City teammate Owain Tudur Jones on The Longman’s Football World Podcast, Crofts explained that the blister became infected and that injury led to him developing a problem with his Achilles tendon.

“I class myself as quite a tough guy so how could I say I’m going to miss a training session because of a blister?” joked the Exiles skipper.

“That’s what I probably played on with it for quite a while. In the end that hurt me.”

Crofts’ problems first developed in pre-season, soon after he headed to Rodney Parade.

“I got a stupid blister and that got infected,” said the experienced midfielder, who played with County manager Michael Flynn at Gillingham more than a decade ago.

“It started going up into my foot and my ankle and that’s when the doctor said we needed to get it nipped in the bud.

“I got on the antibiotics and the first set didn’t work so we had to increase the dosage but that healed and that’s fine now.

“But I ended up having to come out of a boot and I was in a flip-flop for about a month.

“That meant I was over-compensating on my left side, putting more pressure on it, which has just inflamed my Achilles a little bit.

“It’s nothing crazy. It’s settled down and hopefully I can load it up, it will react well and I can get back playing.

“It is a bit frustrating, but it’s nothing bad. Hopefully I’ll be back in a couple of weeks.”

Crofts is convinced that when he does shake off his current issues he will be able to contribute for County and he aims to play on for a number of years.

“The last two years I’ve been fit 100 per cent of the time after two big knee injuries,” he said.

“My last knee injury was about four years ago and I’ve managed to play about 100 games since then.

“The last two years especially I’ve been pretty much 100 per cent available and I’ve played a lot of games.

“That’s been massive for me because after my second knee injury I’ve worked really hard.

“That was a tough time for me. I was getting a bit older and things were getting a bit harder but I really worked hard to get myself right and now I feel really fit and really strong.

“I’ve had a little setback but nothing bad and I want to play for a good few years yet.

“I want to play for as long as I can,” he added. “I’m still very fit and I look forward to getting back in the team.”

And Crofts is excited by what this squad could achieve in League Two this season.

“Being captain of the County is a massive honour,” he said.

“The gaffer said he’d make me skipper and he wants me to set an example to the boys.

“It’s an unbelievable changing room, up there with the best [in my career]. It’s a really tight-knit group with some real top characters and a blend of young and old.

“The staff and the gaffer, Hats, the board, the chairman are all good people.

“I’ve only been here a couple of months but, from what I’ve seen so far, it’s an exciting time for Newport County.

“We’ve got a long way to go but I’ve really embraced the community and I love it. I get a buzz going in every morning and that’s what you want.

“If we can keep it going and keep everyone fit hopefully we can have a good season.”