WITH OUR understanding being that Jimmy Dack will not be Newport County manager next season, the new boss is going to have to decide quickly on which players in the Exiles first team squad to retain and release next term.

My thoughts on the potential new boss can be found in the side panel, but after a campaign where Newport can’t finish lower than ninth in League Two, exactly who should be retained?

It is a game you’ll all be playing yourselves, so here is my verdict on who County should or shouldn’t keep next term.

Before we begin, a few ground rules. I shall offer both my verdict on what County should do and will also offer a prediction on what will happen.

I will not include the four youth team players being offered first team deals, who are Regan Poole, Kieran Parselle, Tom Owen-Evans and Aaron Collins.

I’ve seen Parselle play only once and though from what I’ve seen the other three all look terrific prospects, I only have a qualified opinion on Poole.

I also won’t be looking at the players already contracted for next term, under the presumption they will all be sticking around.

Unless the Argus has been misinformed by the club, the players contracted for next term are Joe Day, Andrew Hughes, Kevin Feely, Mark Byrne and Yan Klukowski. For the record, all five are key players to my mind and are all welcome stays next term.

Shall we begin?

Jamie Stephens: Almost criminally underrated by some, Stephens is a potentially top goalkeeper who provides good competition for Joe Day. He should be retained, but might feel he’s now worthy of first team football.

Retain? Yes.

Prediction: Stephens will find a deal elsewhere in search of first team football.

Lenny Pidgeley: A top goalkeeper and forever a County legend, but Pidgeley’s time has come as an Exile.

Retain? No

Prediction: County won’t renew Pidgeley’s contract, but he’ll have no issue finding a League One or Two or Conference club for next season.

Ryan Jackson: An ever emerging presence at right back or as a wing back, Jackson would be a huge coup for County.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: Jackson’s career is heading for a higher division and Newport will struggle to keep hold of him. At worst, I’d expect to see him playing in League One next season (maybe in Kent).

Andy Sandell: County’s skipper is another set for the hall of fame down the line, but he’s not quick enough for left back and too attacking to play as a central defender.

Retain: With regret, no

Prediction: Sandell will move on this summer and have a good couple of years at a Forest Green Rovers or an Eastleigh

Robbie Willmott: Key player this season and last and extremely versatile. One to keep.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: Most disagree, but I see Willmott staying at Newport. Not ready for League One after injury, another season of stability, at the same club, will be good for his career.

Darren Jones: The easiest decision of all. He must be kept.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: Both player and club would hugely regret any outcome other than a new deal. County should look for two-years and for Jones to end his career at Rodney Parade.

Ismail Yakubu: Consistently key performer, but injury prone. So tough to call

Retain: Yes

Prediction: I wonder if Yakubu might be tempted back towards his native London this summer. Hard to imagine that both his old clubs, Wimbledon and Barnet, wouldn’t be keen on his signing if the money is right.

Michael Flynn: Hard to judge as a player, has barely featured all season. Earning good reviews for work done with youth academy.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: Flynn deserves to be named academy director for next season and that should be his main focus. A stance of ‘never say never, break glass in case of emergency’ in terms of his playing career, would be prudent as well.

Lee Minshull: Part of the furniture and I personally think it would be a huge mistake to let him go. Opponents hate playing against him.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: So hard to call. I don’t think Minshull will be short of offers, so if County wait too long, he’ll be snapped up by someone else.

Max Porter: A terrific defensive midfielder, but suffers with awful misfortune regarding injuries.

Retain: Yes, subject to proving fitness after foot injury

Prediction: Will get the wait and see treatment like Byron Anthony last season. Wants to stay and will likely get chance to prove himself.

Adam Chapman: Can be brilliant, but is infuriatingly inconsistent.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: Chapman is one of County’s higher earners and I can see him back at Mansfield where his former teammate is now manager.

Aaron O’Connor: Has scored 11-goals this season and hasn’t had a single regular strike partner. Has shown he can score goals at this level.

Retain: Yes

Prediction: Impossible to call. Doubt there is much goodwill from County board towards the man who tweets and speaks as he sees it, consequences be damned, but new manager might want to keep closest Newport have to guarantee of goals.

Shaun Jeffers: Has scored more goals than Christian Doidge this season, but hasn’t progressed as we had hoped.

Retain: No

Prediction: Jeffers moves on

Joe Parker: Supposed to have pace, an eye for goal and a big future, but we’ve yet to see anything from him.

Retain: No

Prediction: A reunion with Tim Harris.

So there you have it. I’d keep most of the squad and re-build only in terms of the strikers and attacking options.

What will happen? We shall see, but you should certainly have your say. Fire away...