ACADEMY graduate Dom Jefferies has left Newport County AFC after not being offered a professional contract.

The midfielder, who turns 18 on Friday, came through the ranks at the Exiles and the second year academy scholar got a taste of senior action last season.

Jefferies featured in November’s FA Cup victory at Maldon & Tiptree and enjoyed five outings in the Leasing.com Trophy.

The youngster, who was also tasked with filling in at right-back, had a spell on loan with Salisbury in the Southern League Premier Division South.

However, Jeffries revealed on Twitter that his time at Rodney Parade has come to an end.

County won’t take to the field again until 2020/21 after League Two clubs voted to end the season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The English Football League and the Football Association need to ratify the decision but the Exiles won’t be one of the four teams that could still feature in the play-offs.

County last played on March 10 and sat 15th in the table, 12 points behind seventh-placed Northampton.

League Two clubs rely heavily on gate receipts and were not keen to join the Premier League and Championship in playing behind closed doors.

That would also have forced clubs to leave the UK government’s job retention scheme. County manager Michael Flynn, his coaches and players were furloughed in mid-April.

Thoughts will now turn to next season and of prime concern is establishing which of the out-on-contract players Flynn wants to keep, with utility man Scot Bennett and striker Jamille Matt the most high-profile of those whose deals are expiring on June 30.

League Two rivals Scunthorpe revealed at the start of the month that they would not be able to keep those whose contracts are running out.

"At present, we are not making any offers to our out-of-contract first team squad members due to the coronavirus pandemic and the significant loss of income suffered by the club," said a club statement.

"We thank all the players leaving the club this summer for their efforts while with the Iron and wish them well for the future."

They were followed by Salford City releasing 11 players, including former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Darron Gibson.

The Irishman, 32, played just four times for the club during their maiden Football League season.