NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has dismissed as “speculation” reports linking him with the vacant Shrewsbury Town job.

Flynn is currently fourth in the betting to replace John Askey, behind Wrexham’s Sam Ricketts, former Shrews boss Paul Hurst and ex-Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer.

The Shropshire Star has reported that Shrewsbury are prepared to make an approach for Flynn, who is contracted until 2020 at Rodney Parade.

But the Exiles boss insists that his only focus is tomorrow’s League Two clash against promotion rivals Colchester United.

“I haven’t heard anything,” said Flynn when asked about the Shrews links.

“My focus is firmly on getting the three points against Colchester.

“It’s something that, as far as I know, is just speculation. Nobody has approached me.

“It is flattering if you’re linked to a job at a higher level.

“It goes to show how well we’re doing, myself and my staff, and the players – they’re the ones who go out and do the business on a Saturday and it’s credit to them as well.

“When I won manager of the month, I wanted to make sure everyone was involved because that’s the kind of spirit we’ve got here – we’re all in it together.

“If we’re doing well then people benefit from that, and if we’re not then it goes the other way as well.”

Flynn continued: “I’m not going to sit here and say I’m going to stay at Newport for the rest of my life. I want to manage in the Premier League.

“People might say I’m getting ahead of myself but if you don’t have plans and dreams then you’re probably in the wrong industry.

“I’ve got a dream to manage in the Premier League and this is my first step on the way to getting there.

“I’m ambitious and thankfully the board have said they will back me in January.

“The board have been very helpful with the Joss Labadie deal and I know they’ll back me in January.”