MANAGER Michael Flynn accepts that he may lose some of his star men if Newport County AFC miss out on promotion this season.

Goalkeeper Joe Day, defenders Dan Butler, Mickey Demetriou, Mark O’Brien and Tyler Forbes, midfielders Joss Labadie, Andrew Crofts, Matty Dolan, Josh Sheehan and Will Randall, and young striker Momodou Touray are all out of contract this summer.

County are still in the hunt for a place in the League Two play-offs and they will secure a top-seven spot if they win their three remaining games, starting at home to champions Lincoln City tomorrow.

But Flynn knows that keeping his squad together may depend on getting over the line and sealing a place in League One.

“There are quite a few who are out of contract,” said the Exiles boss.

“Some will be trying to see if they can play higher.

"I’m not stupid; some will think that they’ve outgrown Newport and we’ve got to persuade them – the ones that we want – that we’re ambitious and we will be next season.

“There are scouts watching near enough every game we play now,” he added. “That’s been going on for months, though. It’s nothing new.

“It hasn’t affected the players. It’s all good watching them, it’s another thing to get them to sign on the dotted line somewhere.”

Asked specifically if he felt County had to go up to keep Joe Day, who was named in the League Two team of the season at the EFL Awards, Flynn said: “Possibly. Hand on my heart, it is going to be very difficult to keep him.”

South Wales Argus:

Exiles winger Robbie Willmott (above) signed a new two-year deal in February and he’s hoping that Day follows suit, but he wouldn’t blame the keeper if he chose to move on.

“I’ve known Joe now for five or six years and he’s an unbelievable goalkeeper,” said Willmott.

“I think people around Newport will probably be thinking ‘how hasn’t he gone on to a bigger club?’ and it’s only so long that you can keep someone of his quality here for.

“Maybe we do have to go up to keep him and if he does leave then all we can do is wish him all the best because he’s been a brilliant servant for the club.

“I hope he stays because he’s saved us endless points and, in the seasons I’ve been here with him, he’s been tremendous.”

Willmott says fans should understand if a player leaves for a better deal elsewhere.

“Some of the players who are out of contract will be looking to build up interest in them from higher clubs or from bigger clubs in League Two,” said the 28-year-old.

“When bigger contracts start coming your way it’s hard for players to turn down because they have families that they have to provide for.

“I think people outside football forget about that; they want loyalty but it’s like any walk of life – if you get offered more money it’s hard to turn down.

“I’m happily secure here for two years, but it’s up to the players who are out of contract to impress the gaffer and impress other gaffers if they want to go on to bigger things.”

Read more: The County stars who could move on this summer

Read more: Exiles boss on the future of loan star Regan Poole