NEWPORT County AFC’s season may have been stopped in its tracks by coronavirus pandemic but Argus readers still get their annual chance to honour their top performer.

With 10 games left to play in their League Two campaign, voting is open for the Exiles’ player of the year and six of Michael Flynn’s squad are in the running for the award.

Left-back Ryan Haynes, utility man Scot Bennett, midfielders Josh Sheehan and Joss Labadie, striker Padraig Amond and goalkeeper Tom King are the candidates after strong campaigns for the club.

We are giving the lowdown on those who could land the honour, which was won last season by Irish forward Amond. Today’s nominee is JOSH SHEEHAN

South Wales Argus:

The midfielder had a first spell at Rodney Parade in 2016 on loan from Swansea City and returned on a permanent deal in January 2018.

This season the 25-year-old became a leading light thanks to a change in role, making 42 appearances and dictating play from the heart of midfield.

“Sheehan was probably the most eye-catching performer in the first half of the season,” said Argus football writer Andrew Penman.

“He originally came to the club as a number 10, a creative midfielder looking to support the attack, but from the end of the previous season he has been converted into a deep-lying playmaker.

“He has excelled in that role and the only thing that his game is lacking at the moment is goals, but creatively he has been the main spark in the team all year.”

Sheehan’s form earned the praise of manager Flynn, who was pleased to hang on to the west Walian.

“If Josh Sheehan keeps playing the way he is then he’ll be gone by Christmas,” said the Exiles boss in September. “Teams have got to be watching him. He’s been immense.

“He’d certainly be up there with our best players so far this season. If he could shoot, he’d be a Premier League player, but I’m not going to ask for it all!”

South Wales Argus:

The midfielder also made an impression on Amond, who swept the board for Exiles honours last season and is in the running to retain his Argus award.

“Josh Sheehan has probably been the best player in the league so far,” said the Irish forward in the autumn.

“That’s massive credit to him because he’s reinvented himself as a different type of midfielder to what the County fans are used to seeing.

“He was more of a number 10 but now he’s dropped deeper and is an all-round midfielder. We see his quality day in and day out in training, now it’s transpiring onto the pitch week in and week out.

“At the minute, he’s the best player in the league. It’s great to have him on our side.”

Vote from the six-man shortlist: HERE