NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has laughed off rumours that Padraig Amond could be sold to League One Plymouth Argyle.

The Pilgrims were linked this week with a move for Amond, who scored in today’s 3-1 friendly defeat to Stoke City under-23s, and reportedly quoted a £300,000 asking price by County.

But, speaking after the match, Flynn said there is no chance that last season’s top scorer will be leaving Rodney Parade this summer.

“I’ll drive him there myself if it’s £300,000 and I’ve told him that,” joked the Exiles boss.

“I texted him the picture when it was sent to me [on Twitter] and said ‘see you’ but the club have had no contact. There’s absolutely nothing in it."

“I do get tired of reading rubbish," added Flynn. "I’m sure I would have found out before somebody put it on Twitter that Plymouth are thinking about making an offer for him.

“There’s no story there – unfortunately for the people who make it up, which is quite bad actually.

“He’s got his goal again and he’s looked quite sharp in pre-season so he’s somebody that I won’t be letting go.”

Amond, who headed in to cancel out Daniel Jarvis’ opener before two Tyrese Campbell goals sealed victory for the Potters, added: “There’s nothing in that [story].

“I’ve not heard anything about it and I’m very happy here. The manager knows that and all the players know that as well so I’m here for as long the club wants me.”

Flynn was satisfied with his team’s performance against the Stoke youngsters.

“It was good to come through it with no injuries,” said the manager.

“In spells we played some really good football. We created a lot of good chances but we conceded some sloppy ones.

“I’m not going to be too down about the second-half goals because I did change it a lot and there were a couple of trialists on and young Jay [Foulston] as well so there was a lot of disruption and it was a team that hadn’t played together [at the end].

“I was pleased with the way we responded after half-time because I thought the last 20 minutes of the first half wasn’t good enough.

“We dropped off at the end as well but even then Keanu should have scored.

“The most important thing was getting minutes into their legs and coming through with no injuries.”

Joe Day missed the match due to a personal matter with a trialist goalkeeper, believed to be Queens Park Rangers’ Timothy Seny Dieng, playing 90 minutes.

Midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson, whose loan move from Bristol City is expected to be confirmed on Monday, came off the bench for the final 23 minutes.