The skipper will miss the rest of this season and will also spend next summer on the comeback trail after the blow suffered in the goalless draw with Grimsby in League Two last weekend.

Wildig injured himself when making a rash challenge and will now be sidelined for at least nine months.

The 32-year-old from Hereford signed a one-year contract extension last summer but will now be faced with either talking to County about fresh terms while injured or hunting a new club when fit.

Jardim is a big fan of Wildig’s on-field ability and also his leadership qualities after making him co-captain with centre-back James Clarke.

The head coach intends to keep the midfielder involved when he is up and moving after surgery, and intends to help get him on the road to recovery to prolong his career.

“It’s devastating for him, and for us. I have spoken to him and, as you would expect, he is down because he knows the responsibility he had as a captain and leader,” said Jardim about the former Morecambe stalwart, who has made 90 appearances since heading to Newport in 2022.

“Now it’s up to us to help him because it’s not good at his age to have this knee injury. We have to make him feel comfortable and positive moving forward.

“He is 32 and this is a bad injury with at least nine months out depending on how the recovery goes.

“Aaron is in the final year of his contract and those things will be going through his mind but it’s up to us to make him feel comfortable and positive.

“We have to help get him back fit as quick as possible – he has at least three years at a good level of football.

“As a club we try to look after our players and that’s all I can say. From my end, I will do my best to make sure he feels part of it.

“He will have surgery but as soon as possible we will see him in the changing room and watching the games.”

Wildig has played in 17 games out of a possible 21 in all competitions and is the club’s leading scorer in League Two with four.

The skipper has only missed one league fixture – the loss at Barrow because of a back issue – but will now watch on as the Exiles attempt to consolidate on a steady start under Jardim.

His absence will put a heavy burden on Bryn Morris as the only experienced specialist central midfielder in the squad, with versatile Shane McLoughlin needed in his favoured full-back role.

Wildig and Morris combined well against Grimsby when the former operated in a deeper role to provide control and leadership but now Jardim must have a rethink.

“It’s a big blow for us. I have said from the beginning how important he was for us and how we are building with the style,” said the head coach, who has settled into a 4-5-1 system.

“Losing him is not good and whenever I feel we are making good progression and we have a settled starting XI there is a setback, and this is probably the main one.”