STRIKER Frank Nouble will be “delighted” if he is offered the chance to stay at Newport County AFC.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Exiles on a one-year deal last summer, has had his best ever season in front of goal, finding the net 10 times in all competitions.

Negotiations between Nouble and the club over a new contract have started and the former West Ham man reckons it won’t be too long before there is an outcome.

“I’ve enjoyed my year so if I’m here again I’ll be delighted,” he said. “I see a few of the boys have already signed and I think there’s a couple of other players who are out of contract.

“Obviously I’ll be on that list but we’re talking with the club and hopefully something will get sorted out.

“I’m pretty sure something will be sorted out very soon.

“I think it’s best for everyone and I don’t want to have a long summer thinking about where I’m going to be or where I’m going to go.

“I’m pretty much settled, I’ve got two kids here in Newport, so hopefully something will get sorted out.

“I’ve had a good year and I’m happy to be here so we’ll see.”

Exiles manager Michael Flynn moved quickly to secure the services of Dan Butler and Scot Bennett for another 12 months and two years respectively.

A host of players including Joe Day, Mark O’Brien, Mickey Demetriou, David Pipe, Matt Dolan, Josh Sheehan, Robbie Willmott and Padraig Amond are already contracted for at least another season.

Nouble, whose youngest child was born in Newport, has played for more than a dozen clubs since leaving the Chelsea youth system in 2009.

The 2017/18 campaign, in terms of games played and goals scored, has been the most fruitful of his career.

“It has been a productive year with goals and assists,” he added. “I’ve tried to be a big influence on the team. I think I’ve done that and we can all be proud of our season.

“We’re missing out on the play-offs, which is disappointing, but we’ve got a great group here and if we can keep the core together and build on it, that’s how teams do well.

“Accrington Stanley did something similar and we can do that here, definitely with the manager we’ve got in charge now.”

Nouble was unable to add to his tally at Chesterfield on Tuesday as the Exiles lost their penultimate fixture of the season.

"You never know what mentality you’re going to come up against with a team that’s already relegated," he said of the Spireites.

“They gave everything for their manager.

“We let ourselves down in the second half, but at the same time we need to move on.

“We’ve got the last game of the season and hopefully we can end on a high.

“I’ve enjoyed my year and want to end it as well as possible against Carlisle."