NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn says a deal to bring Wales international Joe Ledley to Rodney Parade is now “unlikely.”

The 32-year-old midfielder, one of the stars of Wales’ run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, is a free agent after leaving Championship club Derby County in January.

Ledley has been training with his former club Cardiff City in recent weeks but he was watched County beat Scunthorpe United last month and Flynn was hopeful that he could tempt him to sign a short-term contract with the Exiles.

“He asked me for tickets and he came to the game,” explained Flynn last week.

“I speak to Joe quite regularly. Is there an opportunity there? I don’t know. I’ll know more next week.

“I’ll speak to Joe and if there is anything [in the pipeline] he’ll come in and train first.

“He hasn’t trained with us. He’s been training with Cardiff.

“Can we get him? I’m not quite sure,” added the Exiles boss.

“Is it close? No. Have I spoken to him? Yes. That’s all there is to say at this stage.”

South Wales Argus:

But there has been no progress in those talks over the past seven days and the County manager is now less optimistic that we will see Ledley in an amber shirt.

“I haven’t heard anything at all,” said Flynn at this morning’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Salford City.

“I’ve spoken to him and it’s kind of ‘wait and see’ now, but I’m not overly optimistic on it.

“He’d have to get up to speed and get fully fit, match fit I mean. I know he’s looking after himself.

“But it is what it is. The closer it gets to January, the more people become available who want to come and prove a point.

“It’s unlikely is what I’d say, but never say never – as you always get told in football.”

Flynn admits he would also like to add to his attacking options.

“I still think we’re one short up front,” he said. “We’ll have a look at that in January, unless something comes out of the blue.”

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