Newport County manager deluged with online requests after signing Paul Hayes via social network website

There is some dispute over who made the first move online with Flynn insisting that the former Wycombe Wanderers forward set the ball rolling by sending him a friend request.

But Hayes said the initiative came from the County manager.

“He got me on LinkedIn,” said the 34-year-old. “We spoke to each other privately through that, he got my number and we spoke from there.

“Maybe social media is the way forward for transfers these days!”

And Flynn says that he has had plenty of players getting in touch this week.

“My LinkedIn has been going cuckoo,” said the Exiles boss.

“I’ve had messages from everyone chancing their arm. I must have 50 or 60 requests since the story broke.”

Hayes (above) left Wycombe at the end of August and was considering a move to Hemel Hempstead Town in the National League South before arriving at Rodney Parade.

He had been training with Championship club Charlton Athletic, one of his former employers, but Flynn says the veteran is not fit enough to feature against Mansfield Town tomorrow.

“He’s not ready at the moment. We’re going to have a mini pre-season with him,” he said.

“I’m not going to put any time limit on it, it’ll be when I feel he’s ready.

“I don’t want to rush him and have him break down.”

County have Padraig Amond and Shawn McCoulsky on six goals apiece and Frank Nouble on five, while Marlon Jackson has now returned to training and Lamar Reynolds and Joe Quigley are also fighting for a place in the squad.

But Flynn believes Hayes will complement the strikers he already has in the squad.

“He’s a different kind of player,” said the manager.

“He’s more experienced and he’s more of a target man. He brings the midfield into play and he’s a clever footballer.

“He’s totally different but he will chip in with goals because of his experience and his movement so I’m looking forward to having him when he’s fully fit.”