CAPTAIN Mark Byrne says he’s happy at Newport County AFC but only the “right deal” will convince him to sign a new contract.

The Irish midfielder, who has played in every game of the campaign, was voted the South Wales Argus player of the year by readers – adding to the seven awards he won at the club’s presentation evening last week.

Byrne has been a model of consistency in a season of struggle for County and manager Warren Feeney wants to keep hold of his skipper.

But he is out of contract this summer and is almost certain to have other offers on the table, with Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh – the man who brought Byrne to Rodney Parade – a big admirer.

“The gaffer has said he’s going to sit down with the players next week so we’ll just wait and see what happens,” Byrne told the Argus.

“I’m happy here at the moment, it’s just getting the right deal. I’ve got to be happy with the deal I get because I’ve got a little family to look after now.

“It’s got to be the right deal but I’m happy here at the moment and I think a lot of players are happy under the gaffer.

“They really like the manager here. He’s still a young manager and it’s not too long since he finished playing so he knows what it’s like and he knows how to be around the players, “I think he’s a very good manager to have here next season.”

Byrne thanked Argus readers for their votes and reflected on what has been a successful season for him.

“It’s been a lot of awards I’ve picked up this week and I’m delighted for all the votes,” he said.

“For me it’s been a good season – I’ve played in every game, which is very rare for me.

“To be involved in every game, including all of pre-season, is great.

“But it’s been a long season and I wasn’t that upset [not to start] last week because my legs needed a rest! The pitch takes a lot out of the players.”

The captain says staying up is an achievement after a poor start under Terry Butcher and the players want to end on a high at AFC Wimbledon tomorrow.

“After the start we had I think it is a good season to stay up,” he said.

“Everyone wrote us off after 10 games but we are safe.

“We want to finish on a high now and get one last win,” he added.

“Hopefully we’ll take a fair few fans down and we can give them a nice day out and three points.

“And it’s important to show the manager what you can do for next year because there’s going to be a lot of good players out of contract and without clubs in the summer.”